SACRISTON fell at the very last hurdle to allow Swalwell to overtake them and claim their fifth consecutive NTSL championship.
Sacriston began the day with a eight-point lead at the head of the table, and knowing victory would ensure they would be champions for the first time in their history. But just as weather had played a crucial role a couple of weeks before to help lift them to the top, it played another decisive hand as their game at Percy Main suffered a delayed start to turn it into a reduced contest of 35 overs per side.
Main struggled through their innings against an eager attack in which Chris Winn (3-33) shone, but an unbeaten 36 from Dave Tweed added a late flourish that lifted his side to a respectable score of 140-7. However, with the ultimate prize in sight Sacriston were never convincing in their run chase, losing wickets from the off as their first seven batsmen scored just 58 runs between them.
A late rally then held out the tantalising prospect of unlikely salvation as Bryan Potts (26) joined with Phil Peel (19no) and Mark Fort (19) to bring the championship dream in sight once more, only for Main skipper Richie Walker (3-27) to snuff out those dreams, the visitors falling just nine runs short with 19 balls still available to them.
Meanwhile, Swalwell were in dominant mood in their uninterrupted home game against Morpeth, recording their 14th victory of a rain-raddled campaign, and one which made it a magnificent fifth title on the trot.
Kyle Coetzer, playing only his eighth match, proved to be Swalwell’s driving force as he rattled up his second ton of the season, hitting 116 in 134 balls, and including 11 fours and 1 six. 47 from Malcolm Clarke and 30 from James Welch then put the icing on an impressive celebratory cake as the home team scored an imposing 256-5, a total Morpeth found far too stretching as they fell 86 runs short, Ian Pattison (4-57) and Nicky Phillips (3-29) battening down the championship hatches yet again. Three of the other games were washed out, but in the one other match played Tynedale (191-9) ended Newcastle City’s (123) unhappy stay in the top flight with another beating, Tom Cant (76) and Richard Darling (6-12) ending their personal seasons on a high.
With Ashington also relegated, Leadgate and Lintz secured a return to the big time just one year after their joint demotions, Leadgate returning as A2 champions in style as Paul Greenwell (120) led them to a 201-run demolition of Greenside.
Some sensational personal performances set Bedlington on the way to the Northumberland League title as rivals Blue Flames saw their championship dreams go up in smoke.
The two challengers started the day level pegging on points, the Blues boys holding the slight advantage as they had won more games. But in a game restricted to 45 overs Flames just couldn’t take all ten wickets needed for maximum bowling points as opponents Warkworth closed on 161-8. Flames scorched to victory in 25 overs and then had to wait to see if Corbridge could restrict the Terriers in any way.
The answer was a definite no as Sean McAfferty smashed 16 fours and 6 sixes in a thrilling 156, joining with John Mason (60no) in a third wicket partnership of 206 as Bedlington racked up 263-5. Initial Corbridge resistance then crumbled in the face of some destructive bowling from skipper Paul Straker (5-11) and Nick Douglas (4-19), the Terriers taking the title with 18 overs to spare.
Russell Hughes will have some glowing memories to warm him through the long winter months, the Blagdon Park opener cracking an unbeaten 185 from just 136 balls, his amazing knock including 22 fours and 5 sixes as his team defeated relegated Bomarsund by 124 runs.
A shock defeat for Kirkley at the hands of Monkseaton allowed Ashington Rugby Club to snatch the second Division One promotion slot on the very last day, and they will join champions Blyth in the top flight next season.
