REDDITCH were pipped at the post in the final event of the Worcestershire Games.

The town went into the weekend topping the table along with Wychavon but second place in the handicapped boules on their own patch was not enough as their title rivals won to take the winners' sword.

But the Redditch team did well to battle back and claim second place overall after going into their final game 13-8 down to Wyre Forest who were edged into third overall.

Wyre Forest finished the games on 18 points with Redditch on 17 and Wyre Forest 15.

Bromsgrove, who withdrew from this year's games, entered a team in Saturday's Boccia, an event for the mentally and physically handicapped, and came fourth with eight points.

This year's Games were hit by the cancellation of four events with other disciplines affected by withdrawals.

The five-a-side football, sailing and rounders were cancelled and the squash was not played after Wyre Forest and Redditch players decided not to compete after the withdrawal of the Wychavon squash team.

Redditch organiser and Games chairman Terry Hobbs pointed out the town could have won the games if they had contested and won the squash and picked up three points.

In that case Wychavon would have been disqualified for pulling out and the final result would have been affected.

The organising committee are looking at a special programme next year to mark the Games' 25th anniversary with multi-disciplinary teams, and the whole contest over one or three weekends among the options.

Hobbs thanked the Redditch competitors and has asked for their suggestions on how to mark the anniversary.