Leicestershire county veterans' team have secured promotion back up to National Division 2 of the men's over 35 inter county championship.
The county had suffered the heartache of relegation last year only by virtue of rain washing out their final match.
Playing on the international grass courts at Eastbourne they made a steady start by edging past Shropshire 3-2 but were temporarily derailed on day two when a serious foot injury to Gordon Armstrong resulted in a 2-3 loss to East Midlands rivals, Notts.
The final day saw all to play for against a strong Essex side with either county capable of winning the division. With Leicestershire 2-1 up after the first round of matches, the team went on to clinch an emphatic 4-1 win by taking the last two doubles.
Captain Jon Ison commented that it had been a truly all round contribution from the whole squad and stepping back up to Division One, will hopefully give the current squad a chance of taking the main title again which Leicestershire has done on several occasions in the recent past.
County men's over 35s vets' squad:
Jon Ison (capt), Gordon Armstrong, Steve Brett, Chris Harwood, David Ireland