MANY of the promotion races and relegation battles in the West of England Premier League will go down to the final Saturday after a dramatic penultimate weekend when the weather had a big say in proceedings.
Clevedon and Potterne remain neck and neck and scrapping it out for glory at the top of Premier One while it’s still any two from three at the other end of the table to be relegated.
Chippenham (137) remain bottom but wrap up their campaign at home to ninth-placed Downend (142) while Cheltenham (144) will be keeping a careful eye on proceedings when they host Lansdown.
Downend pushed Potterne hard in a 20-over contest before going down by five wickets with one ball remaining, while Cheltenham were beaten by 69 runs in a 27-over clash at Clevedon.
The fight for the one promotion place from Premier Two Glos/Wilts could not be any tighter with a single point separating Thornbury (230) from Corsham and Goatacre (both 229).
Thornbury remain in pole position after a tremendous last-ball three-wicket win at Burbage & Easton Royal, Dan Lezar the hero in a 20-over game with the crucial boundary, and now prepare for a home date against Hatherley & Reddings.
On the other side of the pyramid, leaders Bristol were 96-3 in the 20th over at home to nearest rivals Taunton St Andrews, chasing 157, when the weather had the final word.
This result left Bristol with a two-point lead over Saints ahead of their final outing of the summer, away to struggling North Perrott.
No play at all was possible in the Gloucestershire division, and that meant pacesetters Corse & Staunton remain 14 points ahead of nearest rivals Cirencester going into the final round of matches.
Corse wrap up at home to Bourton Vale while Cirencester are home to lowly Cheltenham Civil Service.
Golden Hill, (pictured) the leaders of Bristol & North Somerset, banked six points after being washed out at home to Congresbury, and that was enough to ensure the title and a first ever promotion to Premier Two Bristol/Somerset.
Every point, though, remains vital in an extremely congested drop zone. Old Bristolians Westbury moved up a place to eighth and 158 points with a welcome four-wicket win at Keynsham.
But there is still a tremendous amount riding on the last set of games, particularly a clash between the bottom two of Knowle (153) and Stapleton (141).
Bristol West Indian Phoenix (159) host Golden Hill on Saturday while Keynsham (161) are away to Congresbury.