A DEVASTATING spell of accurate fast bowling by Hanley Castle and Upton 16-year-old Adam Hunnabun blew the Old Vigornians batting away on a placid New Road pitch.

OVs knew they could not afford any slip-ups in the Crusader Worcestershire League Division Four South promotion race but ended up losing by three wickets to the basement boys.

It left Worcester Dominies and Burghill and Tillington as the top two in the table.

Osman Fiaz, who began the day near the top of the club’s batting averages, was clean bowled for a duck.

Tom Weston followed for 13 but the wicket of Duncan Hughes turned the match as he fell for 25 through a run-out. Sam Cullen, involved in the run-out, also lost his wicket but, with Hunnabun out of the attack, Rich Hallett (24) and James Bader (33) set about restoring pride.

They added 56 for the fifth wicket but Hunnabun (5-39) returned to dismiss Hallett, Will Smith and Steve Protherough.

Phil Mackie was stranded on 15 not out as the OVs were all out for a meagre 138.

Adam Phillips and Smith made early breakthroughs with Hanley Castle and Upton stuttering to 15-3.

The experienced Grant Matthews (66no) saw the visitors to victory with three wickets remaining.

Smith finished with 4-20 and Bader took two excellent catches behind the wicket.

On a difficult day for batting, OVs seconds secured second place in Division Four South.

With a long injury list and players unavailable, they fielded 12-year-olds Charlie Lamb and Miten Patel.

But 13-year-old Alex Spring (13) top-scored in a poor OV batting performance.

James Gommersall (10) was the only other player to reach double figures as OVs were all out for 80.

But, in reply, Ian Bell showed he is still the master of swing, picking up an astonishing 7-19 from 12 overs against Hanley Castle and Upton. Off-spinner Ian Robinson took two wickets and skipper Tim Race the other with the hosts collapsing to a meagre 45 all out.

Dave Mendham won the Bailey Cup for OVs’ player of the season, being the leading run-scorer and wicket-taker.

Smith won the Panter Shield, for young player of the year, for the second time.

Gommersall, who has scored 498 runs this season, was presented with the Sunday player of the season award.

Steve Poole won the Mackie Cup for the performance of the season for his 165 not out against Barnards Green.

Race was the tourist of the year.