SO near and yet so far.

With only a draw needed to take Studley into the first division of the Birmingham League for the first time in the club's history, Mark Lewis' side buckled badly.

The villagers had topped the Division Two East table for weeks after showing a steely side to their game rarely witnessed since joining the big boys of the Banks's League.

Lewis predicted Water Orton would be the biggest threat to Studley's title hopes from halfway through the campaign, at which point Kings Heath and Walmley were top dogs.

And his words proved prophetic as the other contenders were left on the ropes to leave Studley and Water Orton still standing.

By the final Saturday of the season a mouthwatering fixture had turned into a title decider. But after a tremendous campaign, Studley were out of the picture with barely a whimper.

The early loss of two wickets prompted concern but when overseas star Brandon Miller, so often the saviour this season, entered the fray and started putting on the runs, there was a barely audible sigh of relief in the pavilion.

Losing the toss had been a blow but Miller carried the hopes of his teammates.

In tandem with Stuart Harris, the duo attempted to stabilise the innings but in the 19th over disaster struck with the South African trudging towards the pavilion along with Studley's hopes of first division cricket and a season of bragging rights over town rivals Redditch.

Water Orton's pace bowler Lesroy Irish decimated the visitors to finish with seven for 32.

Left with 142 all out after just over 48 overs, Studley had just one point to show for their efforts.

Second placed Water Orton had started the day just nine points behind their rivals, although Lewis had already announced an intention to appeal again after a match earlier in the season which saw them robbed of two points because the umpires failed to show.

The visitors had no option but to bowl out their opponents and took a wicket for no runs at the start and, incredibly, had their hosts wobbling at 75 for four but could not apply the killer touch.

"We needed a couple of quick wickets but a few half chances dropped short in the slips," said a disappointed Lewis.

"When they hit the winning run it felt like someone had ripped my heart and guts out but you have to look at what we have achieved this season.

"We lost two of our first three matches and then went on an incredible run.

"We have to build on this next season but we have had rubbed home how difficult it is to win the league - we won 11 matches and still missed out."

Studley have already recruited another unnamed South African, the captain of Miller's Fishoek team back home has agreed to join from Chaddesley Corbett and is qualified as a non -overseas player after three years in England.