THE First Division Championship went down to the wire.

Ditton CC were in the lead on 45 points from Moorfield Spence with 44.

In their last game Moorfield Spence took maximum six points in an away game against Bohemians while Ditton CC, needing six points to retain the title, played away at St Basils, and although they gained one bonus point when they batted, Ditton needed to bowl St Basils all-out for another bonus point.

Due to some resolute and sometimes skilful batting, St Basils only lost four wickets in their 16 overs, so denying Ditton their vital second bonus point.

Although both clubs finished on 50 points, Moorfield Spence, by virtue of the fact that they had won one more league game than Ditton CC, were declared the new champions of the 1998 season.

Thus the Ditton CC reign of the last two seasons was over.

Apart from the second division title the remaining winners and runners-up positions depended upon the results of the matches played in the last week of the season.

In the Third Division the winners in their first season, were Union Taverners. They won by just one point from nearest rivals Travellers Rest.

Each club obtained a maximum of six points, (win four points, bonus points one for batting, one for bowling), in their last matches and so finished the season with winners, Union Taverners pipping Travellers Rest by 59 points to 58.

The Second Division was won convincingly by Widnes Birchfield with 47 points. Moorfield Casuals were runners-up with 31 points going into the last week and Widnes Albion had 29 points.

In the last game of the season Moorfield Casuals were beaten at home by Halton Corp'n Rec Club and gained no points, whereas Widnes Albion had an away win against Kawneer, and with one bonus point gained, took five points so overtaking Moorfield Casuals by three points to clinch the runners-up prize.

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