WHERWELL clinched the Hampshire League County Division Four title with their 11th straight victory, as they leapfrogged leaders Chawton on the final day of the season, writes EDWIN JOHN.

Skipper Robbie Skeates won his first toss in seven games as KJM sponsored Wherwell faced a visit from Ampfield.

Wherwell knew they had to be at their best and get maximum points to stand any chance of finishing champions.

It did not start well as Ampfield struck on the second ball of the innings removing Alex Gladwyn.

Skeates and Matt Cutts took the attack to Ampfield and put on a strong partnership before Matt Cutts was caught out for 35 runs.

Ollie Emslie came to the crease and built a solid partnership with Skeates.

Emslie scored another half century before being stumped for 51 runs.

Mike Cutts carried on his good form, and began dispatching the Ampfield attack.

Skeates playing the anchor innings kept things moving while Mike Cutts was bludgeoning the bowlers.

Skeates looking to up the ante was caught out for 90 runs.

Big hitting by Mike Cutts 76 not out meant Wherwell ended on a mammoth 272-5.

Gavin Buckle was the pick of the bowlers ending on 1-23 in nine overs.

Wherwell started strong, with Harry Trebert removing Ben Hatcher for a duck in the first over.

With the run rate being kept low by the opening bowlers and with pressure showing, Ampfield’s Sam Filder was run out for one by Nathan Young.

Ampfield showed a bit of resistance with Dan Milward and Trutan Gray who blocked out until the 16th over, before Young removed Milward for 22.

Skeates then caught and bowled Gray for 33. Harry Jorrell showed some urgency with some big hits before being bowled by Young for 23.

With five wickets left and 10 overs to go, Mike Cutts bowled Richard Williams of his first ball, then Ampfield batters frustrated Wherwell by playing and missing countless balls.

Emslie took another wicket with a Jaffa. Mike Cutts got another breakthrough, leaving Ampfield eight down and three overs to go.

However, Ampfield managed to frustrate Wherwell to see out their innings at 115-8. Mike Cutts was the pick of the bowlers with 2-2 in five overs. Young took two wickets and there was one each for Emslie, Trebert and Skeates.

Wherwell finished the game with 23 points and as they were celebrating promotion, when news came in that Chawton had lost against Alton and ended their season on 19.92 average points.

This meant Wherwell had won the league, by averaging 20.56 points this season.

This was a fitting end to a wonderful season for Wherwell, who will be in County Three North next season.