Wood Lane rise from third to be champions

Wood Lane pipped Leek and Hem Heath to become champions as they claimed a winning draw against Burslem in the North Staffordshire and South Cheshire Premier League.

Having started the day in third place, Wood Lane batted first and set managed to reach 224 for three in 44 overs.

Mathew Hagan top scored with 79 but was well supported by Jeff Maynard (54) and Richard Hassall (59 no). In reply Burslem finished on 174 for eight, Steve Norcup taking 4-46.

Leek finished a point behind Wood Lane in second place as they finished the season off with a draw at home against Stone. Leek batted first and Alex Mellor (90 not out) led his to side 195 for three from 36.2 overs with Chris Beach striking 52 from 49 balls.

In the second innings only 20 overs were managed before the weather intervened, Leek having restricted the away side to 57 for four.

Hem Heath started the day top of the table but finished a further two points behind, as they lost to relegated Barlaston.

Hem Heath were dismissed for 105, only John Cheadle (49) and Andy Palmer (20) making double figures. Barlaston then passed the required score for the loss of two wickets.

Sandyford were relegated to Division One, when they lost to Little Stoke.

The away side restricted Little Stoke to 140 all out, Andrew Barnett claiming 7-58 giving Sandyford a great chance, but in the second innings they were all out for 125, Shaaiq Choudery (5-57) the pick of the bowlers.

Knypersley managed to beat the drop with victory against Porthill Park. Nayyar Abbas took 7-51 as the home side bowled Porthill out for 111. Abbas then smashed 71 not out off 38 balls, as Knypersley passed the target inside 18 overs.

Longton against Audley was abandoned after the first innings, which Longton finished 194 for nine from their allotted 55 overs.