MIDDLEWICH Cricket Club are celebrating a truly champion year.

Having led Division Two of the Cheshire Cricket League all season, the first team secured promotion in their final game on Saturday.

Fittingly, they earned promotion by beating neighbours Winsford by 25 runs, with Kieran Boyle’s 4-25 helping them skittle their hosts for 105 in reply to their 130-8 batting first.

Here’s Mike Talbot-Butler’s round-up of what happened elsewhere in the region as the campaign came to a close…

JOY and gloom was expressed by a derby match crowd at Winnington Rec on the final day of the Cheshire County Cricket League season on Saturday.

Park emerged to win cheers when their last pair held out for a crucial draw to close on 91-9 after Northwich had earlier posted a daunting 183. with James Gittins and Jody Matthews both contributing key innings of 32.

Park struggled against fine bowling from Alex Claridge (3-20) and Benedict Vernay (3-25) but held out to earn five key points to Northwich’s 13.

The upshot was that Park kept their place in the league with 244 points while Northwich (242) and Warrington (238) are relegated. Warrington lost by 67 runs at Barrow despite 5-26 from Thakia Davids to finish bottom.

Both clubs will revert to the Cheshire Cricket League in 2024.

At the top of Division 3, champions Maritime are promoted after beating mid-table Oakmere, followed by Ashley, who beat Kingsley by 53 runs.

There was an equally thrilling finish at the top of the Premier Division as Alderley Edge emerged champions by one point from Didsbury. Cheadle and Brooklands are relegated.

Alderley were given a fright when they were bowled out for 150 at Grappenhall, who totalled 246-9 (Tom McCrory 76).

Alderley top the final table by one solitary point while Grappenhall are safe and Cheadle and Brooklands go down.

Bowdon won the Division One title with a convincing win at Sale, thanks in part to Rob Lord’s 4-32.

They finished 32 points ahead of runners-up Timperley, who were routed by 116 runs at home to Alvanley, for whom Charlie Fletcher hit 65 not out.

Sale finish third by one point while unlucky Alvanley go down with Congleton.

Oulton Park finished on a high with a handsome win at Romiley, who totalled 118 (Andy Dufty 4-47) in reply to their impressive 282-7 (Pat Roberts 57 not out, Frank Farrington 52).

Davenham failed to clinch the Division Two title when they lost by seven wickets at home to champions Marple but are still promoted.

Davenham scored 130 (Matt Jameson 54) and Marple responded with 133-3.

RESULTS

Premier League: Brooklands 204 lost to Hyde 205-3; Cheadle 95 lost to Oxton 101-4; Chester B.H. 215-9 beat Neston 128; Didsbury 53-3 beat Nantwich 50; Grappenhall 246-9 beat Alderley Edge 150; Widnes 135-9 beat Toft 134.

Division 1: Bramhall 62-1 beat Congleton 60; Lindow 166 lost to Stockport 169-7; Romiley 118 Oulton Park 282-7; Sale 168 lost to Bowdon 179-7; Timperley 86 lost to Alvanley 202-7; Urmston 227-8 beat Macclesfield 117.

Division 2: Ashton on Mersey 186-7 beat Christleton 184-7; Bollington 143 lost to NE Cheshire 174; Davenham 130 lost to Marple 133-3; Hale Barns 184 lost to Cheadle Hulme 201-5; Stockport 84 lost to Haslington 85-3.

Division 3: Ashley 143 beat Kingsley 90; Barrow 164 beat Warrington 97; Heaton Mersey 233-9 drew with Hawk Green 199-9; Maritime 205 beat Oakmere 164; Upton 227-9 beat Tattenhall 149; Winnington Park 91-9 drew with Northwich 183.

How they finished...

Premier League: 1. Alderley Edge 379; 2. Didsbury 378; 3. Hyde 329; 4. Widnes 310; 5. Chester 291; 6. Nantwich 291; 7. Oxton 288; 8. Neston 265; 9. Toft 245; 10. Grappenhall 237. 11. Cheadle 234; 12. Birkenhead 222.

Division 1:  Bowdon 408; 2. Timperley 376; 3. Sale 366; 4. Romiley 316; 5. 5. Macclesfield 309; 6. Lindow 305; 7. Bramhall 281; 8. Oulton Park 274; 9. Stockport Geo. 272; 10. Urmston 242; 11. Alvanley 12. Congleton 141.

Division 2: 1. Marple 384; 2. Davenham 376; 3. Haslington 367; 4. NE Cheshire 323; 5. Cheadle Hulme 311; 6. Stockport 291; 7. P. Sunlight 273 (21 games); 8. Mobberley 268 (21 games); 9. Ashton on Mersey 226; 10. Bollington 222; 11. Hale Barns 219; 12. Christleton 118.

Division 3: 1. Maritime; 2. Ashley 336; 3. Hawk Green 331; 4. Kingsley 312; 5. Upton 306; 6. Oakmere 294; 7. Heaton Mersey 289; 8. Barrow 258; 9. Tattenhall 248; 10. Winnington Park 244; 11. Northwich 242; 12. Warrington 238.