AFTER missing out on the title for the past two seasons, Humshaugh's midweek team went all the way this time around.

Building on from two runners-up finishes, the Tyne Valley side clinched the Northumberland C Division title as they finally knocked champions Ashington off their perch.

Humshaugh went through the season unbeaten, and it was their final ball victory over Ashington which proved the deciding moment of the season.

Ashington were gunning to keep Humshaugh to second spot for the third season running and looked to have inflicted defeat on their rivals when number 11 Andy Elliott joined Jack Garrett at the crease.

However, some hefty blows and some smart running meant the pair managed to get the required three runs off the last ball to win the match by one wicket!

It was a pivotal moment in a season which started in spectacular fashion, Will Forster taking a wicket with the first ball of the campaign in an away victory at Seaton Burn.

Strong performances throughout the season put Humshaugh in pole position with two games to go, and there was a bit of an anti-climax as the championship was confirmed when the penultimate games were washed out.

Yet they wanted to sign off in style and won their final game against second placed Benwell Hill by eight wickets.

Bowling first, Forster (3-27), Garrett (2-13), Luke Parkinson (1-26) and Matty Williamson (2-11) all contributed to restrict Benwell to 87.

With Chris Heslop smashing 41 before being dismissed in the sixth over, and Rob Forster (12*) and captain Andy Crawford (21*) impressing, they reached their target to end a great season on a high.

While Nick Reid only scored nine on the final day, he finished the season with 283 runs at an average of just over 35, with Heslop making 168 runs and Crawford 158.

Humshaugh produced the three highest wicket takers with Garrett leading the way with 16, and Will Forster and Parkinson close behind with 15 each.

The Tynedale side have a chance to make it a double winning campaign when they travel to hosts Benwell and Walbottle to contest the Ian Appleby Cup final on Sunday, September 3, for a 2.30pm start.