THE fire power of Alnmouth and Lesbury's opening batsmen saw Stocksfield drop out of the Division A2 promotion places.

The 185 run partnership between Russell Hughes and Paul Straker confirmed the title for the visitors, while relegating Stocksfield to third with just two games remaining.

It was a close-run thing with Alnmouth requiring five runs from their final over, but the formidable opening stand between Hughes and Straker proved the difference in the end.

Stocksfield will be buoyed despite the defeat, putting in great performances with the bat and in the field.

The home side were put into bat first and were off to a solid start through Dan Whiley and Richie Mannion as they put on 60 for the first wicket.

The pair started to find the boundary at regular intervals until Mannion got a good one from leg spinner Straker, with Chris Patterson coming and going soon after when he nicked one behind to Charles Anderson off Ed Brunton.

Whiley and Adrian Marrison put on 50 for the next wicket, with Tris Douglas also helping the scoring on after Marrison was caught at mid-wicket.

Douglas' dismissal at 138-4 had the innings in the balance but Steven Henderson and Whiley upped the run rate again, Henderson particularly in scoring mode.

After 11 fours, Whiley finally fell when he was caught behind. Ryan Chamberlain replaced him and helped Henderson push the score on as they posted an imposing 232.

Stocksfield's fielders spent the first 30 overs of Alnmouth's reply chasing balls all over the park as Hughes and Straker were in fantastic form, with the dropped catch of Hughes a big moment in the game.

Hughes finally succumbed to the bowling of Andy Wood, with the quick removal of Straker, caught by Chris Scandle off Henderson, giving Stocksfield real hope.

The hosts' sails were up and they really went for the jugular, Alnmouth needing a run a ball to secure the win.

They passed the 200 mark but Chamberlain stemmed the flow and he took two quick wickets, seeing off both Callum Batey and Charles Anderson.

The game was in the balance as it entered the final over, but Alnmouth found the required five runs with a single and a four off the first two deliveries.

Despite 86 runs from Mark Jacobs, Stocksfield II lost by four wickets to Ryton II.

They posted 156-9 as they opened the batting, Chris Catnach (13), Nomi Numan (11) and Ben Ridley (12) reaching double figures.

Ryton found the runs with the penultimate ball, Catnach (3-16) coming close to securing the win for Stocksfield with his spell towards the end of the game.