OLD Hill have one foot firmly back in the Birmingham League after winning their opening end of season play-off game with a five wicket win over Shropshire League champions Wellington.

The writing was on the wall for Wellington right from the moment they were inserted to bat first at Haden Hill.

The Shropshire side soon suffered an early collapse as they were reduced to 22 for four as Aamir Manzoor created early havoc with the ball by taking three for 23.

Zimbabwean William Mashinge steadied the innings with a patient 49 off 83 balls but lacked sufficient support.

Only James Flynn with 15 and Wendall Wagner on 10 managed to reach double figures as Wellington were removed for a way below par score of 127 all out in the 37th over.

Sam Wright caused further damage with the ball by snapping up three for 21 while there were two wickets apiece for Bilal Hassan and Alex Elsworth,

Worcestershire County League champions Old Hill didn't have matters all their own way when they replied and rapidly found themselves reduced to 12 for two as Hugh Morris bagged an early brace of wickets.

However a third wicket partnership of 88 between Hassan  who made 51 and Waqas Ahmed  on 38 took the game away from Wellington.

Ahmed departed with the score on 97 for three while Hassan was removed  to make the score 114 for four before the hill coasted to a winning 128 for five with 16 overs to spare.

The Hill now take on Staffordshire champions and National Village winners Milford Hall in the next round of matches this Saturday at Moseley.

On Sunday, the Hill complete their play-off programme when they take on Warwickshire champions Olton at Grange Road.