A PATIENT 97 from Luke De Souza laid the platform for some late hitting as Leamington beat Halesowen.

William Mashinge (42), Oliver Currill (40 not out) and Chris Calcott (34 not out) helped Leamington reach 272 for five in 50 overs.

Matthew Davison (2 for 20) took two early wickets and Joe Midgley (3 for 30) bowled a steady unbroken opening spell for Leamington as Halesowen slumped to 66 for seven and their final total of 141 all out in 36.5 overs owed much to 41 not out from Wes Griffiths.

So with two games to go to the end of the season, Tamworth will be relegated with Brockhampton, after Halesowen and Barnards Green picked up sufficient bonus points required despite their defeats to Leamington Spa and Bridgnorth.

Meanwhile, the second team who have lost six consecutive games are now fighting for their existence in Division Two of the Worcestershire League after being blown away by Peter Scott’s 106 in 81 balls making it back to back 100s for the former Notts 2nd XI and Minor Counties all-rounder.

Batting first after a rain delayed start, Hales totted up 192-3 thanks to Harry Baddams (71) Ram Jaswal (53*) and 35 from Scott Jones. But Green passed the total with 12 overs to spare to win by three wickets but not before 13 year old off spinner Ciaran Baker-Smith (5-14) had made them sweat. With 30 points between Halesowen and Brockhampton in the relegation zone strong performances are still required in the remaining two games to stay up.

The third team picked up a losing draw at nearby Coombs Wood thanks to a fighting partnership of 132 between Shaz Gill (89) and Chris Jones (39).

The fourth team ended their strong season with a defeat to champions Stone CC. Stone batted first on a damp surface at Earls High School to get up to 230-3. In reply, Hales made 181-5 to lose by 49 runs but finished third in the League.

Captain Alexei Kervezee said: "The first team didn’t perform at all today and luckily for us we have accrued enough points to be safe this season thanks to other teams results on Saturday.

"We have two games left against Barnards Green and Brockhampton to put something together to end the season well.

"Our congrats go to the fourth team who have now completed their season finishing third and we now need the second team to show some mettle in the last two games to retain their status."