Win puts Wellington in clear
Wellington are clear of the Birmingham League premier division's relegation zone once again after coming out on top in a low-scoring thriller at Old Hill. The three-times champions had started the day second from bottom going into the crucial game with their rivals who are also battling against the dreaded drop.
But their one-wicket victory saw them climb three places to eighth and gives them a 10-point cushion going into the last three games of the season.
It had looked like it might be more simple when Birmingham side Old Hill were bowled out for just 118 inside 38 overs, with captain Anthony O'Connor and Tim Hancock taking four wickets each.
But they struggled with the bat on a difficult track and needed Micky Davidson to hang around in the middle order with his 28no as they reached 119-9 halfway through the 43rd over.
To increase the tension, the last pair of Davidson and Anthony O'Connor had to come off twice for rain delays before finally hitting the winning runs.
"It was a massive game and we were dreading it in some respects with four key players (Phil Simmonds, Gavin Byram, Chris Martin and Steve Lamb) out," said chairman of cricket Adam Byram.
"We did well to bowl them out for 118 and the track dried up so it was doing a bit more and it wasn't the easiest of circumstances to bat in.
"Micky Davidson's knock was as good a 20-odd not out as you'll see at any level.
"Tim Hancock played superbly as well and it was an important win or we might have been in a little bit of trouble otherwise."
Shrewsbury's prospects for survival look bleak after they were beaten by Walsall in another thriller at London Road.
The hosts were bowled out for 202 with one over remaining, Antonio Mullins top-scoring with 60.
Spin pair Rob Foster and James Gale then took four wickets apiece but could not prevent the visitors picking up a one-wicket victory as they reached 203-9 in the 54th over.
Bridgnorth have further eased their division two relegation worries by making it a perfect Bank Holiday weekend with victory over Tamworth yesterday.
Andy Leather added to his four wickets on Saturday with a haul of 5-83 as Tamworth were restricted to 196-9 from their 55 overs.
And the hosts reached that target with more than 11 overs to spare, with Peter Thompson's 80 and Andy Unitt's 50 instrumental.
"The lads played well in both games over the weekend," said team manager Ray Perry.
"The table has always been bunched and we knew a couple of wins would improve our position considerably, and that is what has happened."
By CHRIS HUDSON