Sanjula Bandara and Armaan Akhtar were perhaps not the most obvious pre-match choices to provide the pivotal moments of the crucial County League play-off clash between Milford Hall and Attock.

But as events transpired, Bandara’s dismissal of Omar Ali in the 12^th over of Attock’s response to Milford Hall’s 269-7 clinched the South Staffs Premier Division winners the all-important fifth bonus point which secured BDPCL Division Two cricket for 2026.

This wicket brought the Warwickshire League champions’ teenage prospect to the crease, and when two balls later Akhtar nudged a single into the leg side a huge roar from Attock’s substantial following confirmed their fourth bonus point had clinched the second available promotion place.

League Table: https://bdpcl.play-cricket.com/website/division/133705

At this point, with both clubs back in ECB Premier League cricket for the first time since the BDPCL reorganized to two divisions in 2018, the result of the match became somewhat academic.

However, Akhtar – who had failed to make it to the crease during the first two rounds of play-off action – was intent on making his mark and alongside the brilliant Rizwan Hussain he went on to build an entertaining unbroken match-winning fourth-wicket partnership of 172.

Former Ombersley pro Hussain dominated the closing stages to finish with 125 not out from 109 balls with five sixes and 14 fours, while Akhtar’s unbeaten 73 came from 86 balls as Attock passed the finishing line with seven wickets and more than ten overs in hand.

Having been asked to bat first Milford Hall top-order had earlier built a substantial total on a typically flat Sandwell Park pitch. Dominic Afford (40) added 92 with second-wicket partner Bandara who made 53 from 71 balls.

And after both fell in quick succession Niall McHale continued his good play-off form with a 43-ball 51 before Ibbadat Thaman celebrated his return to Dartmouth by crashing nine fours and two sixes in a fluent unbeaten 58-ball 76.

Tall paceman Adam Mahmood claimed three wickets for Attock whose quest for 269 suffered a pair of early setbacks with the losses of Arsalaan Mahmood and Mo Ishtiaq.

However, Omar blazed his way to 59 from just 33 balls before leaving the stage clear for Akhtar to push the all-important promotion-clinching single.

Scorecard: https://bdpcl.play-cricket.com/website/results/7197039

An equally high-scoring encounter on a fine pitch at Smethwick saw Stourport finish in third place ahead of Wellington through a commanding seven-wicket win.

Chasing the Shropshire League champions’ 280-8, the winners of the Worcestershire Premier League were indebted to outstanding hundreds from opener Peter Hawk and his middle-order colleague Siddarth Ahhuja.

Ahhuja smashed 16 fours and five sixes in a breathtaking 56-ball 111 while Hawk played the anchor with a fluent 121-ball unbeaten 104 as Stourport emulated Attock by racing home in the 39^th over.

All of Wellington’s top seven had earlier passed 20 with Matt Simmonds top-scoring with 60 from 88 balls. Stourport skipper Charlie Foley finished with 3-41.

Scorecard: https://bdpcl.play-cricket.com/website/results/7197041