Stratford crowned Warwickshire Premier Division champions

Warwickshire League, Premier Division

Stratford 204-7

Solihull Municipal 120-7

Match drawn

THE final weekend of the Warwickshire Premier Division campaign threw up one final dramatic twist in the race for the title, with Stratford emerging as champions after Walmley fell to a surprise defeat.

Walmley were in prime position to book their place in the Birmingham League promotion play-offs, but after going down to Sutton Coldfield by 37 runs on Saturday, it presented an opportunity for the Panthers to finish in top spot.

Batting first the Panthers looked to be in trouble at 73-6, but fine innings from Nick Pepper (43), Josh Colwell (44), Archie Walker (51 not out) and Henry Smith (36no) helped push their side to a respectable 204-7 from their allotted 50 overs.

In reply Stratford's accurate bowling limited the amount of runs available to the hosts and despite a stubborn 49 from opener James Roslyn, Municipal fell well short on 120-7 to give Stratford the winning draw.

The 17 points picked up for Dexter Purser's men meant they finished top of the table with a points average of 15.714, with Walmley finishing as runners-up with a points average of 15.318.

So what happens next?

Stratford now go into the Birmingham League play-offs, a four-team group made up of the respective Warwickshire, Worcestershire (Stourbridge), Staffordshire (Lichfield) and Shropshire (Worfield) county league champions.

Each team will play each other once and the top two teams will be promoted.

The Panthers visit Stourbridge on Saturday and are then at home to Lichfield on Sunday.

Stratford complete the play-offs on Saturday, 25th September when Worfield visit Swans Nest Lane.

See this Thursday's Herald for more.