BROCKHAMPTON clinched promotion to Division 2 of the Birmingham & District League with a dramatic last-over away victory on the final day of the season.

In reply to Bablake Old Boys’ 174-8 declared, Brockhampton looked in deep trouble at 122-8.

However, Ashley Nahorniak combined with Australian Shaun Cartwright to seal a two-wicket success for the villagers with just one ball to spare.

Brockhampton achieved the runners-up spot in Division 3 in their maiden season.

In a game reduced to 25 overs by a late start whereby the boundaries were shortened in some areas to exclude puddles of water, a decision to declare one over early by the home side ultimately enabled Brockhampton to emerge with a victory.

Bablake, needing a win to avoid relegation, raced to 174-8 before their declaration.

Richard Parker was in fine form for the visitors with a hostile spell of bowling to finish with 7-84 off his 12 overs.

In reply, Brockhampton, needing nine points themselves to secure the second promotion spot, were losing wickets on a rapid basis and slumped to 122-8.

Cartwright had other ideas, however, and joining forces with Nahorniak, started to clear the boundary ropes.

His 55 not out, and a vital straight six from Nahorniak, guided Brockhampton to a memorable win off the penultimate ball of the extra over.

The 20 points gained from the match ensures that the south Herefordshire outfit will be experiencing life in Division 2 next term for the first time.

Bablake, who will also be rueing a dropped catch offered by Cartwright near the end, will be departing from the other end of the section.

At the Heath Road Ground, Kington raced to a comfortable five-wicket victory against their fourth-placed opponents Whitchurch to remove any lingering fears of relegation.

Number five batsman Simon Gregory’s 42 not out was the cornerstone of the laboured Whitchurch innings of 131 for nine off 55 overs.

For Kington, Sri Lankan Dharshana Gamage with 3-40 and Vinnie Kay with 2-24 were an effective spearhead.

But Owen Price’s off-spin strangled the life out of the Whitchurch innings.

Price yielded the excellent return of 3-26 off 17 overs, with eight of them maidens.

There were three early losses for Kington in reply.

However, Dave Exall (30) and Steve Caple (36 not out) steadied the ship.

They shared a partnership of 51 for the fourth-wicket.

Gamage’s unbeaten 20 then enabled the visitors to reach their target in the 36th over.