DIDSBURY clinched promotion back to the top flight of the Cheshire County Cricket League after a nailbiting win over lowly Bramhall at Wilmslow Road.

Batting first, Didsbury adopted a positive approach from the outset as Paul Brierley (79) and Marcus Fisher (90) put on a superb first-wicket stand of 141 to give Paul Sperring’s team the platform they needed.

The aim was then to score runs as quickly as possible to enable a declaration to be made.

Derek Morgan obliged, hitting a rapid 23 to enable Didsbury to declare on 227-6 after 45 overs, leaving their attack with 55 overs to do the business.

Bramhall did not roll over though as Dawson’s 73 took them to 148-3 and with plenty of time to chase the 80 runs required.

Andy Hall’s determined 48 took his team past the 200 mark with four wickets in hand, but sparkling fielding – which yielded three run-outs – left Bramhall’s last pair at the crease with five runs still sought.

With Sperring bowling the final over, Bramhall added two more runs before the skipper won an LBW verdict to leave Bramhall 225 all out and send Didsbury back into the top flight.

However, the seconds lost the reverse fixture which leaves the game with Alderley Edge as a title decider.

A below-par display with the bat saw Didsbury restricted to 155-7, Bramhall having few problems in making 156-3.