STUDLEY captain Steve Rose hailed the club’s indomitable spirit as they clinched promotion from Warwickshire League Division One.

A nervy losing draw against Barby, which earned the Bees six points, secured second place and promotion to the Premier Division.

The success was the lift the club needed and ended a tough period for the Washford Fields outfit, who suffered relegation from the Birmingham League three years ago and tumbled down two levels.

Studley finished second from bottom in 2014, so this year’s promotion success was an impressive turnaround.

Rose said: “When we were relegated and fell down two divisions we lost several players but sometimes you have to go backward to go forward.

“The spirit around the club has been phenomenal, it’s been a huge collective effort.

“I genuinely think there is a very bright future at the club, we have a lot of very young players who have come through.”

Put into bowl first, Barby made 204 all out, with Stuart Harris taking four wickets.

Studley then opted for safety and in their 48 overs made 105-4, with Jawaad Nazir top scoring with 32 runs.

Rose added: “There were a few nerves on Saturday. We were worried if we went for it we might get bowled out and miss out in promotion.”