A LAST-WICKET stand of 39 condemned Whitchurch to defeat in their crucial relegation battle at Lichfield.  Whitchurch skipper Ijaz Yousef elected to bat first and with all-rounder Mas Hasnain returning to form with a ton, the visitors looked well set to post a daunting total when 129-2.  However a flurry of wickets for Wade Van Zyl (4-62) and Lewis Peat (3-72) stunted their progress to leave them with a final total of 196-9. Hasnain was the eighth wicket when run out by the impressive Van Zyl for a brilliant 115. In reply Lichfield openers Van Zyl (23) and Will Davies (24) denied Whitchurch any early wickets until Vansh Bajaj broke the partnership with the first of his three wickets. Hasnain  (2-56) and Ijaz Yousef (3-43) then seemed to have put Whitchurch into a winning position by reducing the hosts to 158-9 but Lewis and Adam Peat put on 39 for the last wicket to see their team to a massive victory. Whitchurch Seconds suffered a similar fate as they were unable to defend 226 against a powerful Lichfield batting line- up. Whitchurch batted first and managed 226-5 from their 50 overs thanks to 92 from Will Doerr along with 66 from opener Andrew Ince.  On the bowling front both Michael Pettingale and Graham Wilson took two wickets for the visitors. Joe Seager then hit a superb unbeaten 123 for the hosts to lead them to a comfortable win.  He received good support from number four  Jake Owen who also contributed an unbeaten 57 as their side raced to an eight-wicket victory inside 34 overs.