CORBRIDGE hadn’t won a game going into the final game of the season - against table topping Tynedale who had won all six of their games.

Tyne had already qualified for the divisional play-off so the result was irrelevant for them. However, they would have still wanted to finish on a high ahead of the play-offs.

But they found Corbridge’s Joe Barber in impressive form with the bat, the opener showing why he was so fondly highly of throughout North-East cricket in recent years.

Barber faced a total of 122 balls and put on a batting masterclass, hitting 20 fours and three sixes on his way to a knock of 144.

He contributed all but 90 of his side's runs as Corbridge ended on 234-7.

They were in trouble early on when Ross Atkinson (0) was caught by Zak Old off Sam Peter (3-57) with the score on one, with Hedley Renton departing to a catch by Tom Cant off Peter after hitting a four.

From 7-2, Corbridge moved on to 31-3 before Chris Fowler (17) was caught by Dan Parker from Matthew Scott (1-46) and Mark Rowell (4) was trapped lbw by Peter with the score at 50-4. Milo Robinson (14) then helped Barber to take the score to 87, before he was bowled by Jake Robson (1-34).

When Andy Percival (33) joined Barber at the crease, the run rate improved significantly as the two put on a partnership of 120.

Percival was caught by Peter off the bowling of Sam Mannion (1-45) before Barber's time was finally up when he was bowled by Nicholas Sykes (1-18).

It was over to Andy Dover (2no) and son Corey (3no) to see the innings out.

Oliver Fletcher was promoted to open alongside Parker for Tynedale and he took on the responsibility admirably, making 37 while Parker (7) and Mannion (8) departed.

Fletcher was the next to go, caught by Corey Dover off the bowling of his father, and James Rainford (49) and Euan Stephenson (34) put on a partnership of 57 to get the scoreboard ticking.

After they both departed, Sam Peter (39) maintained the good work but fell in between Scott (3) and Robson (5) followed suit to leave Tynedale on 190-8. Cant (5no) and Sykes (16no) tried in vain but were 21 runs off Corbridge's total.

For Corbridge, Andy Dover (4-46) took three wickets, Corey Dover (2-38) and Chris Jowsey (2-65) two each and Barber (1-40) the other.

Despite Tynedale's defeat, they go through to play Alnmouth in the league play-offs non Saturday.

Stocksfield finished in second spot after a five wicket victory over Ryton.

The hosts were all out for just 125 runs as Stocksfield's bowlers were on top.

Ryan Chamberlain (3-27) took three wickets, with James Tolchard (2-13), Chris Scandle (2-30) and Aaron Rourke (2-44) each claiming two.

Sam Beedle (1-4) claimed the other wicket from his nine deliveries.

Stocksfield's reply got off to the worst possible start as both openers, Chris Patterson and Adrian Marrison, went for ducks. It was over to Ben Archer and captain Steven Henderson (19) to stem the flow, but the latter's dismissal was quickly followed by the removal of Sam Beedle, who also contributed no runs.

Rourke made 18 runs before he departed, with Jonny Tobin (18) helping Archer see Stocksfield over the line as he finished on 61no, with the help of eight fours.