AFTER leading the way for most of the season Linden Hall finally crossed the finishing line to win the league matchplay championship for the first time since joining the league five years ago.

They went into their final game, at home to Percy Wood, with a slender two-point advantage over rivals Berwick A, who were away to Magdalene Fields B.

At that stage they needed to win 11-1 to be sure of the title. As it turned out they won 12-0 and with Berwick dropping three points at The Fields it gave them a five-point overall victory.

Bamburgh, last season's champions, finished a modest third, one point ahead of Magdalene Fields A, with Warkworth and Alnwick joint fifth just ahead of Dunstanburgh.

The matchplay league appears to be as popular as ever and with some talented juniors making their presence felt the future looks bright.
The season will be remembered for its new title holders and the fact that barely one game was postponed despite the dismal summer weather.

Results:
Linden Hall 12 Percy Wood 0
M Penny beat R Gander 5 and 4; C Brown beat P Dixon 2 and 1; J Clark beat M Dodd 2 and 1; S Johnstone beat M Snaith 3 and 2; J Kinch beat L Nicklen 2 and 1; S Hornsby beat J Taylor 1up.

Magdalene Fields B 3 Berwick A 9
A Marshall lost to M Henderson 7 and 6; K Hossack halved with P Swinney; N McLachlan lost to S McCreadie 3 and 1; N Deary lost to G Greenaway 3 and 2; C Thackray beat A Stevenson 3 and 2; G Young lost to A Potts 3 and 2.

Berwick B 4 Seahouses 8
I Smith lost to J Hogg 4 and 2; A Terras beat A Holmes 4 and 3; L Fairbairn lost to S Priestley 5 and 4; K Manuel lost to T Cowie 3 and 1; AR Potts beat G Pearson 6 and 5; G Campbell lost to C Cowie 3 and 2.

Wooler 4 Magdalene Fields A 8
J White lost to D Meakin 3 and 2; S Lowrey lost to K Gullan 2 and 1; M Redpath lost to M Biggins 6 and 5; D Wilkinson lost to JW Blackie 2 and 1; N Frizzell beat M Neil 4 and 3; G Buthrie lost to P Moffat 1down.

Alnmouth 8 Bamburgh 4
M Burrows lost to P Sanderson 4 and 3; L Kilmister beat M Dawson 1up; M Kilmister beat M Robinson 1up; D Appleby lost to P Lorraine 4 and 3; R Caisley beat J Cairns 2 and 1; S Wilkes beat R Turnbull 2 and 1.

Warkworth 10 Belford 2
S Quince beat S Keys 5 and 4; R Balmbra beat J Young 4 and 3; G Henderson beat N Jefferson 2 and 1; K Hindhaugh beat G Hulley 2up; M Graham beat G Irvine 6 and 5; J Kelly lost to B Young 1down.

Alnwick 6 Alnmouth Village 6
G Ridley halved with RI Campbell; J Storey halved with JJ Crilley; B Farrar lost to J Stevenson 4 and 3; D Harrison beat A Stanton 4 and 3; L Foggon lost to A Hood 1down; G McInally beat J Jobson 5 and 4.

Rothbury 5 Dunstanburgh 7
M Clements halved with M Carss; M Arkle beat N Cairns 1up; S Foggett halved with S Olver; N Rodgerson halved with D Harrison; C Chapman lost to A McGrady 6 and 5; C White lost to J Carss 7 and 5.
l POSITIONS after final Open Day at Goswick Team Gross Dunstanburgh 5406, Alnwick 5550, Goswick 5621, Seahouses 5713, Rothbury 5767, Wooler 6202. Team Net: Dunstanburgh 4927, Alnwick 4981, Goswick 5045, Seahouses 5102, Rothbury 5105, Wooler 5286.