THERE were contrasting emotions in the town of Boldon as the Durham Senior League side relinquished their grip on the title on the final day, while neighbours CA reclaimed their Durham Coast League crown.

It was always going to be a tall last-day order for Boldon to overhaul a vibrant Kimblesworth side in the Senior League race, and with Horden proving stubborn opponents it was the newcomers who were able to raise the championship pennant over their clubhouse on Saturday night after hammering Durham City.

Boldon had to go for maximum points and then hope Kimblesworth would slip up, and they gave it a real go by rattling up 210-6 in 44 overs against Horden on the back of a rapid 72 from Matthew Sampson-Barnes.

But West Indian Adelvin Phillip was proving a tough opponent, he followed up his three wickets with an unbeaten 61 before the game ended with Horden on 155-6 after 38 overs.

Durham City’s primary aim at Kimblesworth was to try and pick up enough points to avoid the wooden spoon, but it was not to be as the home team recorded an emphatic win to lift the title at the very first attempt.

Australian Jake McCann gave City some hope with a half-century, but Kevin Dixon came on third change to end his, and Durham’s, resistance with a 10-over spell of 5-32, leaving Kimblesworth needing 188 to make history.

They did it in style as Stephen Meek reached his century at the same time as hitting the winning runs.