A match-winning unbeaten 72 by Ollie Whiteley backed up by a miserly bowling display saw Bourton Vale Vikings crowned Cheltenham Premier T20 champions.

They defeated Tewkesbury Royals by 23 runs at Cheltenham College despite some lusty late blows by Wade Ridsdale, who made 34.

Whiteley, batting at three, scored more than half of Bourton's runs as they made 138-6 after Tewkesbury had won the toss. Skipper Darrel Williams was their next highest scorer with 17.

Whiteley paced his innings superbly, taking 17 off the 19th over bowled by Tom Morris.

That over included a six and two fours after he had earlier gone to his 50 off 41 balls.

In total he faced 49 deliveries, hitting 11 fours and one six. 

Matt Stevens and Alex Oliver were the most successful of Tewkesbury’s bowlers with 3-21 and 2-17 respectively from their four overs.

Tewkesbury never really got going in their reply with the departure of star batsman Josh Richards in the first over a decisive moment.

He chipped Will Faulkner’s fifth ball to Liam Webb at mid-on after scoring just one. Josh Barnes then fell in the second over to Danny Way and wickets continued to tumble at regular intervals.

Tewkesbury were 44-3 at the halfway stage but that soon became 48-5 and there was no way back from there.

Bourton’s bowling was excellent with Liam Webb (2-18) and Arthur Hanson (2-25) the most successful but there was also a wicket apiece apiece for Max Shepherd and Williams, as well as Faulkner and Way.

It’s been an excellent campaign for Bourton who were competing in the competition for the first time.

They topped the eight-strong group stage, winning six of their seven games.

The only team to beat them were Hatherley Hurricanes but they avenged that defeat in the play-offs.