WITH one of the largest crowds for years urging them on, Barnard Castle emerged triumphant from the final day of the NYSD season to claim the Division One championship and their place in the league’s Premier Division.

Barney began the day requiring 12 points to be certain of the title, a similar scenario to the 2009 season when they collapsed at the final hurdle. But this time it was different – even though they began the afternoon a little edgy after surprisingly opting to bat when winning the toss against visitors Seaton Carew.

They lost free-scoring opener James Sutton in the second over, and when skipper Ben Usher fell for 17, there were a few furrowed brows, but Richard Borrowdale (88) and Duncan Coates (56) settled nerves with a third wicket stand of 89, and the home team went on to post 232 despite Danny Thomas’ five-wicket haul.

Four early strikes then put Barney completely in the driving seat, and with Dave Stanwix picking up 4-37 in 16 overs, and his three bowling partners also getting their names in the wicket-taking column, the game, the title and promotion were wrapped up inside 33 overs as Seaton crumbled for 93.

Redcar took the runners-up spot with a five-wicket win at Normanby Hall in which youngsters Callum Brown and Davey Corps shared eight wickets, and run machines Ollie Rodgers and Tom Urwin again notched up half centuries.

Marton slipped back to finish third after a high-scoring draw at Feethams in which both sides earned 12 points.

A 113-run opening partnership between Marton’s Alex Wardell (70) and Andy Morrow (58) set the tone for the day and with Whalid Ghauri adding 44, and Chris Simpson unbeaten with 36, the visitors notched up 238-6 in their 50 overs, Jack Vickerman the most successful Darlington bowler with three wickets.

Simon Lee then hit 61 to put the Quakers in with a shout, but Ghauri’s 19-over stint in which he picked up 3-57 held the home team in check and they eventually closed on 215-7.

Other highlights of the final day were David O’Kelly’s unbeaten 121 for Richmondshire which included 16 boundaries – unfortunately it couldn’t prevent Saltburn knocking off 223 in just 43 overs with Jon Bond cracking an impressive 80.

Martin Lower (3-12 and 38no) gave Sedgefield the upper hand in their five wicket home win over Marske, and Blackhall’s Brian Sullivan (6-53) set up the Collier’s seven-wicket victory over visitors Guisborough with Naeem Feroz (62no) just failing to reach the 800 league runs mark as he led the successful run chase.