Rothley Park and Cropston are promoted

ROTHLEY Park and Cropston are celebrating after securing places in the Everards Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket League Premier Division for 2019.

Clinching the Division One title by 51 points ensured an immediate return to the top flight for Rothley who were relegated last season, while Cropston will play in the Premier Division for the first time since 1999 after securing the second promotion spot ahead of their neighbours Newtown Linford.

Cropston played host to Hinckley Town and made 219-9 before dismissing their guests for 207 to win by 12 runs.

It meant Newtown Linford’s four wicket away win over Sileby Town 2nd XI was in vain as Cropston took the promotion spot by just one point, with 10 members of the team having played junior cricket for the club.

At the other end of the table their was disappointment for Loughborough Town 2nd XI and Sileby Town 2nd XI who were both relegated.

Loughborough Town 2nd XI beat Oakham by 94 runs to earn maximum points, but Earl Shilton managed to secure nine points, despite losing at home to Enderby , which kept them one point clear of the drop zone.

In the Premier Division, Barrow Town took the bragging rights as the area’s leading club, finishing the season in third place behind champions Kibworth and runners-up Lutterworth.

Loughborough Town finished the season in fifth place, Sileby Town were sixth and Kegworth Town ended the campaign in eighth position.