Goodnight from Day after last-day crunch

The villagers find themselves involved in a dramatic final day shoot-out with Welshpool to decide which team secures their place in the Marston's Shropshire Premier League for another season.

Both teams collected six points in defeat on Saturday, meaning Bomere will start this weekend's crunch battle with a 12-point advantage.

And Day is determined to bow out on a high.

"I have spent the last five years eating, sleeping and breathing Bomere Heath - which you have to do as captain - and it's time for a change," said Day.

"I've decided to step down but I want to make sure we stay in the league because that's extremely important to us.

"It gives us the chance to stage representative cricket games - certainly at under-21 and junior level and potentially for Shropshire first team - and it's also good in terms of stature.

"We are playing in the top league in Shropshire which makes it easier to attract players."

Bomere looked to be on course to secure what would have been the victory which guaranteed their Premier League status at Wem on Saturday.

Ian Gillespie's 3-20 helped reduce Wem to 21-4 but an unbeaten 71 from opener Russell Mellings and a half-century from Martin Gaunt helped the hosts up to 179-9 from their 50 overs.

Wem were soon in trouble at 6-2 and 16-3, but 77 from talisman Gillespie kept the visitors in touch.

Stuart Raine and Josh Gough, however, ensured that Wem had the final word, taking three wickets each as they were dismissed for 134 in the 45th over.

"Even when we restricted them to 179 we felt we had a chance but we came up short," added Day.

Welshpool spurned the chance to move off the bottom of the table as they slumped to defeat against Newtown, who have now ensured they will beat the drop.

The basement boys appeared in with a chance as they dismissed Newtown for 164, Bryan Jones top scoring with 43.

Ernie Birch took 5-58, while his son Joe then made 45. But he received little in the way of support from his team-mates as Welshpool were dismissed for 104.

Title winners Oswestry won the battle of the 2008 and 2009 champions with Reman Services.

Alex Huxley made 33 as Oswestry posted 160 before Reman captain Mal Serplet and Ed Ashlin put on 70 for the first wicket.

But Reman then lost 8-20 en route to being dismissed for 128 as the spinners took control, Mark Robinson taking 4-16 and Sam Huxley three wickets.

"The difference between Oswestry and us all season has been that they have wanted it more," said Serplet.

"That showed again Saturday because when they had their backs to the wall, they kept fighting."

Elsewhere, Ludlow were on the end of a three-wicket defeat to Albrighton while Much Wenlock, Allscott and Quatt defeated Shelton, Madeley and Broseley respectively.

By JAMES GARRISON