Tillside 1sts crowned kings of Northumberland Cricket League

The Etal side secured the title with an emphatic nine wicket victory over Kirkley, who had arrived for the match with only eight players.

Tillside won the toss and put the visitors into bat. Jake Birkett took an early wicket, but it was a four wicket haul from Luke Dickson, who finished with 4-25, and two wickets from Alan Hindmarsh, who was very economical for his 2-4 off four overs, which saw the visitors struggle their way to 63 all out.

It was as easy a target Tillside could have hoped for in a match which they knew they needed to take the full 30 points from to put them out of reach of second placed Ashington Rugby, who started the day just a point in arrears.

Jack Bagness opened up with 14 for Tillside in reply, and it was then left to brothers Liam and Ross Hindmarsh with 30 not out and eight not out respectively to take them over the line.

For Tillside, who also won the Thomas Wilson KO Cup earlier in the year, the title concluded a fine season for the club, as they were triple league champions, with the 2nd XI winning the Northumberland Division 2 and their U13s taking the county Junior League crown.

Team captain Gareth Hill said: “It’s been a great year for the team and the club.

“Ashington have pushed us all the way, but the boys have been great and thoroughly deserve their victory.”

Hill, who was in tears at the end, added: “It@s a massive congratulations to everyone involved with the club and thanks to everyone for the support they have given the club over the season.”

Elsewhere, Warkworth finished with a 46-run win over Backworth, whose title aspirations had been dented earlier in the season with the imposition of a hefty 80-point penalty.

Scott Gibson hit 74 as Warkworth posted 189-9, three Backworth bowlers taking two wickets apiece.

Adam Hall then claimed 5-31 as Warkworth restricted the home side to 143 all out with Alex Pisani their top scorer on 35.

Also in the Premier League, Ulgham lost by nine wickets to runners-up Ashington.

Ulgham were all out for only 61 with james Richards taking 5-13 and David Dent 4-21.

Ashington then chased it down with only one wicket down in less than 16 overs.

Second division winners Tillside 2nds lost by six wickets in their final game away to Tynemouth.

Tillside made 143-7 in their 40 overs with Sean Whitty top scoring on 32.

Christipher Grieveson then hit 68 as Tynemouth responded with 144-4.

Embleton’s final game at home to Ashington Rugby 2nds was cancelled.

Wooler, who had won Division 3 the week before, alsom found themselves without a game when their match away to Blyth was cancelled.

Rock (173 - Tom Parkinson 54)) ended with a 110 run win over Ulgham 2nds.