Halton Bayer Cricket League

WITH the midweek season now at a close, both divisions were once again keenly fought by all teams trying to take the spoils.

In the first division, Ditton CC, having lost just two games ended the campaign on 40 points as league champions taking the Ken Matthews trophy once again with a game to spare.

Queens Park, last year's champions, took the runners up spot with 32 points, just ahead of Bohemians who finished in third position on 30 points.

Parklands and RAOW finished in joint fourth position on 22 points with Sutton All Stars on 14 and Widnes Recs Extras on 12 finishing bottom of the division and thus being relegated into the second division.

Division two went down to the wire with the lead changing hands several times in the last couple of weeks and it wasn't decided until the final league game of the season when Sixth Form Old Boys secured the champions title against Ivax.

The Old Boys finished on 44 points, two ahead of nearest rivals Farnworth (42) who in turn finished two points ahead of Kawneer (40).

Echo Taxis on 36 points were always in the hunt for the title but fell away in the latter stages of the season. Parklands Renegades, last year's wooden spoon winners, ended the season in fifth with 28 points, six ahead of Halton Corporation (22).

Travellers Rest (16) and Ivax (6) were in seventh and eighth respectfully.

Sutton All Stars and Widnes Recs Extras are relegated into the second division and Sixth Form Old Boys and Farnworth are promoted into the first division.

In the cup competitions, Ditton CC holds the President's cup. Kawneer won the Commander Wilkinson VC cup and Queens Park took charge of the Hyde cup.

Parklands v Queens Park

Hyde Cup Final

IN What was to be the last game of the current midweek season, Parklands played Queens Park in the Hyde cup final at Birchfield Park on Sunday.

Having won the toss, Paul Ikin, Queens Park captain, elected to bat.

The final total was 121 for seven wickets.

For Queens Park, patience and playing to a set plan was to be the key factor if they were to win the cup.

Dutton finished on six not out in the final analysis of 117 for eight, five runs short of victory.

Parklands, having played in a total of eight finals, seem to be the proverbial bridesmaid and never the bride, whilst Queens Park have had the upper hand over Parklands beating them twice in two finals.

Sean Anders was named man of the match by Eddie McNicholas, a long time player and stalwart of the league, for his fantastic innings of 51.