STOCKSFIELD will play in the top division of the Northumberland and Tyneside cricket league after they secured promotion at the weekend.

The first team confirmed second spot in Division A2 to make the step up to A1, to be renamed Division One under a revamped league structure in 2018, with a crushing victory over Annfield Plain on the final day of the season.

The promotion sets up the Tyne Valley derby with friendly neighbours Tynedale, who finished an excellent 2017 campaign in fifth spot.

Stocksfield went into the final game with Plain knowing that victory would secure the runners-up position behind champions Alnmouth and Lesbury, but as it transpired both promotion rivals Bedlington and Seaton Burn lost.

Nevertheless, Stocksfield weren't prepared to take any risks and an excellent display saw them win by the huge margin of nine wickets after bowling their guests all out for just 88 runs.

The promotion shows how far the side, who were playing in the third tier Northumberland Premier Division just three years ago, have come in recent years.

First team captain Daniel Whiley said: "It's a good feeling and you do kind of feel like the club has been elevated in stature as a result.

"It's unreal in terms of the teams we will be playing, such as Shotley Bridge and Ashington, and playing in the top division will be really exciting.

"It is really good that we will have the derby with Tynedale too. Tynedale have long been the top team in the Tyne Valley, and it's good to be on a par with them and say we are in the same division.

"It's going to be a very challenging year next year, so we are targeting winning six to eight games to stay in the division and then we can build on that in the future."

Whiley won the toss against Plain and put his side into the field following the previous week's excellent bowling display in the victory over Cowgate Sports.

But Plain openers Blake and Sam Stephenson got the visitors off to a good start by putting on 28 for the opening wicket until Ryan Chamberlain claimed the important wicket of Blake.

Shane Oliver formed a good partnership with Stephenson as Annfield passed 50, but the introduction of James Doneathy and Andy Wood to the attack turned the innings on its head.

Doneathy was particularly impressive to see off Stephenson and Oliver either side of Wood trapping David Newstead lbw, danger man Oliver going to a remarkable catch from Chris Patterson as he dived forward at mid-off.

Stocksfield were well on top as Plain went from 61-2 to 88 all out, Doneathy continuing his red hot streak to remove David Maughan, Martin Coats and John Newstead to record his maiden five-fer for the club.

Wood claimed a second wicket by bowling Matthew Kean for a duck, with Steven Henderson coming on and finishing things off by following the capture of Ben Seaward with the dismissal of Michael Hawdon in his second over.

Chasing a low score, Whiley promoted hard hitting Sam Beedle to open the batting with him and they both found the boundary at regular intervals to gear the team towards promotion.

After reaching 22 from 17 deliveries, teenager Beedle finally succumbed to the bowling of Hawdon with the score on 47.

Adrian Marrison replaced him at the crease and played the anchor role to allow Whiley to fire the score on, his final knock of 55 from 46 balls comprising eight fours, including one which won the game and confirmed the step up to the top division.