All-conquering Tewkesbury clinched the Gloucestershire Division title with three games to spare on Saturday.

They defeated Charlton Kings by 71 runs – their 14^th win in 15 games – and will play in Premier 2 Glos/Wilts of the West of England Premier League next season.

“It’s been brilliant, really good,” said club president Hilary Caudle. “They got so close last season and they really made sure this time.”

They certainly did, having led the table from start to finish. Their only defeat was against Chipping Sodbury back in June and they have the chance to avenge that loss when they travel to South Gloucestershire in the reverse fixture in a couple of weeks’ time.

Half-centuries by the Whitmore brothers, Louis and James – Louis made 75 and James 74 – helped Tewkesbury reach 259 all out at Charlton Kings with the pair sharing a third-wicket partnership of 92.

"It was nice to bat with my brother for a long time," said Louis. "We only needed a couple of points before the game to make sure of the title but it was nice to confirm it.

"It's been a very good year, it's been faultless apart from the one loss."

Charlton Kings’ reply was built around a captain’s innings by Benny Ellis. At one stage they were 162-3 but they lost their last seven wickets for just 26 runs with Sanath Jayawardhana taking 4-31 in 9.1 overs. Ellis was ninth out for 81.

Tewkesbury’s promotion means they will come up against Dumbleton in the West of England Premier League in 2025, the club who pipped them for the title last season.

Cheltenham, Painswick and Hatherley and Reddings are all in the division, too, and Whitmore said: "We're looking forward to it, it will be good."

Captain Tom Allcoat added: "It's going to be a challenge but I think we've got the right group.

"They are a good age and hopefully we'll add two or three players, it's exciting." 

Tewkesbury’s next Gloucestershire Division game is at home to Stroud on Saturday and they wrap up their campaign with a home game Corse & Staunton on Saturday 31^st August.