LEAMINGTON team lost a nail-biting encounter at home to Bridgnorth on Saturday – but secured enough points to guarantee their spot in Birmingham League Division One next season.
Spa were asked to bat first and made their seemingly mandatory poor start.
Jon Wigley became the first of three wickets for Adam Quiney and Luke de Souza followed soon after.
When Zimbabwean William Mashinge fell to Quiney, Leamington were in trouble at 39-3.
Waqra Ahmed and Matt Payne steadied the ship to an extent and the former received further support from Nabeel Asghar and Sulaiman Hussain.
Asghar was run out, making 20, and Hussain contributed a quick-fire 43 off just 30 balls as the score reached 200.
Ahmed was in imperious form, reaching a fine century before being last man out for 101 as Leamington were bowled out for 230, with more than five overs unused.
In response, Bridgnorth stumbled as Mashinge took two early wickets.
However, Ian and Simon Gregory stopped the rot and added an untroubled 116 for the third wicket as Bridgnorth were seemingly easing to a comfortable win.
However, Ian gregory was LBW to Asghar for a well-made 67 and two more Mashinge wickets saw Bridgnorth stutter to 170-5.
Wigley removed Simon Gregory for a patient 70 and Quiney without scoring, leaving Bridgnorth in trouble at 201-7.
Crucially, Bridgnorth had plenty of overs in hand and they inched towards their target.
Spa responded with two more wickets as the match reached its conclusion, but Bridgnorth finally crept over the line, winning by a single wicket.
Mashinge had the excellent return of 4-35 and Wigley 3-43.
Eighth-placed Leamington make the trip to Himley on Saturday.
