NORTHWICH CC are the new Cheshire Building Society Cricket Alliance Division One Champions.

The Moss Farm side secured their third promotion in five years and will line up in the Meller Braggins third division at the start of the new campaign - a remarkable achievement for a club that was ejected from the county league just 10 years ago.

And they secured the title and promotion with a narrow victory away at Sandbach on Saturday.

Batting first, Sandbach lost a wicket in the second over thanks to the bowling of Steve Riley, but they rallied and reached 60-1 from 23 overs before Matt Lightburn was brought into the attack.

He made an immediate impact and took his second hat trick of the season as he ripped through the Sandbach batting line up.

In 12 overs he took seven wickets for just 18 runs in a stunning spell of pace bowling.

Northwich legend Ant Shaw wrapped up the innings with the final two wickets as Sandbach closed on 108.

Northwich knew they would have to work hard to achieve the target and problems appeared to be looming as they slumped to 31-4.

This brought together John O'Sullivan and Mark Phillips who shared a fifth wicket stand of 39 which put the run chase back on track.

O'Sullivan was unfortunate to be dismissed for 30 while Phillips perished for 26, leaving Northwich needing 10 runs from seven overs.

At this time umpires from the game featuring the other promotion hopefuls, Wistaston, arrived with the news that a draw would see Northwich promoted as runners-up and the pressure was lifted slightly.

Lee Evans was out to the first ball of the final over with four runs required, bringing another Northwich legend, Nick Shaw to the crease.

Shaw is planning to move away from the area over the winter and in what may be his last game for the club he stood at the other end as Lightburn smashed the penultimate ball of the innings for four, giving Northwich the win on 110-8.

As the promotion party got under way news that Chelford could only draw confirmed Northwich as champions of the division.

l WITH the league title already wrapped up, and thoughts on the 1sts push for the championship, Northwich 2nds put in a professional display at home to Sandbach.

Northwich batted first and made 154 before the final wicket fell. Simon James (41) and Mike McDonough (29) top scored for the home side.

Opening bowler David Murphy proved too good for the Sandbach batsmen as he took 3-13 from six overs as Sandbach were removed for just 106.

In an excellent season Northwich CC have won Cheshire Alliance Division One, Division A, 2nds Knockout Cup, the Cheshire Alliance Aggregate Trophy and the Cheshire County League U15s Plate.