BROMSGROVE skipper Mark Evenson praised his squad after they ended a frustrating Birmingham League Division One campaign with an 85-run victory over runners-up Brockhampton.
After losing the toss and being put into bat, Jayden Levitt’s 113 off 93 balls went a long way to the Boars’ total of 252 all out.
Alexei Kervezee also hit 43 and ended the season second in the league’s run scoring charts with 919 behind Smethwick’s Amitoze Singh.
In response, Brockhampton were hurried out for 167 in the 37th over as Ashley Newfield (3-39) and Kervezee (3-29) got the pick of the wickets.
Fifteen-year-old leg spinner Sam Johnson (1-38) claimed the final wicket on his first team debut while fellow debutant Mark Burrell shared a 79-run stand with Levitt for the third wicket.
The result meant Bromsgrove finished the campaign fourth-from-bottom.
Evenson said: “We’ve got a bit of history beating promoted sides on the final day of the season as we got one over on Wolverhampton and Walsall previously.
“The win on Saturday was great but it’s frustrating as it showed how well we can play on our day.
“Both Sam and Mark did really well considering it was nerve-racking for them after making the step-up from the thirds.
“Alexei has been brilliant for us all season too. He’s got one year left on his contract at Worcestershire and he’s been the ultimate professional for us.
“Without his contributions this season we would have been struggling to stay in this division.”
With the season now over, Evenson is hoping the Boars can put their poor campaign quickly behind them and prepare for another bite at the promotion cherry next year.
Having captained the Boars for the last ten years, Evenson wants to go out on a high before he hands over the reins to somebody else.
“I’m more than happy to continue as captain of Bromsgrove for another year as I enjoy the responsibility of it all,” he added.
“The team will have meetings and AGMs throughout the winter and if the club want me to stay on as skipper I’m willing to do so.
“I’d love to get the team back promoted as that’s the ultimate aim. We’ve got enough batting and bowling options but things have not clicked this year.
“However I believe we’re on the verge of something special if we get it right.
“Next season we will also start looking at who will replace me as captain as I can’t do the job forever, as much as I’d like to.”
