A CRUSHING home defeat to Worcester could not prevent Hagley celebrating as their Worcester League Division One status was assured.

Results elsewhere mean Hagley are now mathematically safe from relegation with a game to spare.

The hosts lost the toss and having been asked to bat, were soon in trouble when key batsman Joe Lennon was dismissed early by Liam Weston (2-22).

Amjad Ali (63) was the mainstay of the Hagley innings but found little support from his team-mates as Andrew Robertson (5-41) and Adam Rimmell (2-53) ripped through the Hagley order, the home side being eventually bowled out for 153 in the 46th over.

Ali (1-48) picked up a wicket early in the visitor’s reply but Hagley were unable to remove Kiwi Jeff Case (97 not out) who guided his team victory in the 30th over with only two wickets down.

Hagley host Pershore in their final game.

Skipper Russ Andrews said: “This has been a tough season but we have enjoyed the challenge of being back in Division One and we are happy to have the opportunity to build and be stronger next season.

“I would like to thank the players for all their efforts over the season.”

Hagley seconds have already been crowned champions of the second XI Division One but still picked up a winning draw against Bewdley. Batting first, Hagley lost a couple of early wickets to Sam Beasley (2-28) but Simon James (79) and Darren Andrews (42) steadied the ship and set a solid platform.

But they hit trouble when trying to accelerate as tidy bowling from Cyril Ramsey (4-54) triggered a middle order collapse, before skipper Andy Shaw (30) and Steve Plant (22 not out) ensured a solid finish for Hagley who finished on 231-7.

Youngster Jamie Keen (1-22) then took a wicket with the second ball of the Bewdley’s reply.

But Martin Flack (83 not out) looked steady at the other end and cameos from several Bewdley batsmen looked like making the game a tight finish despite good spells from Andy Shaw (3-38) and Neil Hurst (2-41).

But just as Bewdley looked set for victory victory, Flack dislocated his shoulder and had to retire hurt with the game petering out into a drew with Bewdley finishing 191-7 from their 50 overs.

Skipper Shaw said: “It has been a fantastic season and the boys have been great.

“With the strength at the club it has meant a few first teamers dropping down to us who have always done well.

“Dan Morgan and Neil Hurst in particular have been superb.”

Pedmore moved up to sixth in Worcester League Division One as they enjoyed a thumping 110 run win over floundering rivals Oldswinford.

Batting first, Pedmore scored 276-9 with John Wenham’s 63 being the top score, though there were a number of solid contributions including 43 from Paul Pickering and 34 from Danny McDonnell.

Oldswinford’s recent rotten run has been plagued by poor batting but they seemed set to challenge when Rhodri Williams (50) and Matt Sidaway (40) put on 75 for the first wicket.

But only one other batsman managed to reach double figures as they collapsed from 125-1 to 166 all out.

Pedmore travel to Droitwich for their final game of the season while Oldswinford go to Worcester.