WORCESTER have been crowned Worcestershire League Division One champions, securing their return to the Birmingham League for the first time in a decade.

Liam Weston’s side secured the four points they needed for the title with two matches remaining despite losing to Worcester Nomads by 43 runs.

Nomads’ Sam Roberts spoilt the party as he carried his bat for 101 in what was Worcester’s first defeat in more than four months.

Second-placed Pershore also suffered a rare defeat but only after a fantastic match at home to mid-table Belbroughton.

The visitors made 280-7 and Pershore, for whom Ullrich Boshoff scored 90, ended up losing their 10th wicket on 255 with just under three overs left.

Elsewhere, Hagley climbed to fourth with a comfortable win over bottom team Evesham.

However, the relegation places remain unresolved with Redditch looking safer on 154 points, joint eighth with Droitwich, after they beat Bromyard. Harvington jumped a place by thrashing Droitwich.

If results go against Redditch and Droitwich this weekend and they both lose, one will be certain of avoiding the drop as they play each other on the final day.

Division Two champions Burghill and Tillington thrashed relegated Rushwick by 242 runs.

However, a three-way fight is on for the expected other two promotion places after Oldswinford beat Bewdley and Worcester Dominies won a high-scoring affair at mid-table Wormelow.

Jamie Banfield made 131 not out for Wormelow and Steve Miles replied with 87 for Dominies, who got home with three balls remaining.

Elsewhere, Malvern’s swift return to Division Three with Rushwick was confirmed with defeat at home to Coombs Wood.

Lye beat Feckenham to leapfrog Wormelow, while Enville secured their place for next season by winning at Cookley.

Division Three leaders Harborne lost at home to third-placed Bredon, keeping second-placed Stourport in the hunt for the title after they won at home to Tenbury by nine wickets.

Ross-on-Wye beat Alveley to almost certainly condemn them to relegation along with Tenbury.

Alvechurch’s win at Old Vigornians, as well as Chaddesley Corbett’s victory over Cleobury Mortimer, have virtually confirmed their respective survivals.

Bartestree and Lugwardine still lead Division Four by 37 points after defeating Bromsgrove.

Division Five leaders Kempsey saw off Hanley Castle and Upton convincingly to claim the title after a season with just one defeat.

They only did it with three points to spare ahead of Barnards Green thirds, who were the only team to beat them, and finished their campaign by romping to a nine-wicket victory at Stourport thirds.

Elsewhere, Astwood Bank thirds beat West Malvern with a hat-trick from Paul Davis in his 5-22, while Hallow won their first match of the season in a basement battle with Old Elizabethans thirds.