Stamfordham were crowned Division One Champions for the first time since 1988 after beating Belsay by 10 wickets on Saturday.

The Belsay openers defended bravely against a potent pace attack and found runs hard to come by. Graham Adamson eventually claimed the first wicket in the 17th over and the second one six overs later to leave the home side on 56/2. A great spell of bowling from Ian Donkin then saw him take four wickets for 12 runs in seven overs as Belsay slumped to 82/6.

A couple of great catches from Robert Simpson and Craig Johnston off Jack Schofield's bowling plus a run-out saw 10-man Belsay all out for 90 in the 35th over - Jack Fenwick top-scoring with 34.

In reply, Ben Horncastle and Ian Donkin were in top form with the bat as they took advantage of any loose deliveries. Soon scoring at more than four runs per over, Horncastle brought up his half century in the 13th over, eventually finishing on 56 not out which included 10 boundaries. Donkin, the league's leading all rounder this season, remained undefeated on 23 as Stamfordham cruised to 91/0 in the 15th over and the celebrations started.

For a club that was staring extinction in the face back in 2014, they have risen like a phoenix from the ashes. Instead of backing down, club members embarked on a transformation of their facilities.

In May 2018, a brand new clubhouse was opened after £150,000 was raised, following a fund-raising programme which included a grant from Sport England. A few months later, the club capped off a great season by winning the West Tyne League Division Two title and were promoted.

Their hard work behind the scenes was rewarded at the end of the 2019 campaign when they received the prestigious Northumberland Cricket Board's ground of the year award which acknowledged improvements made to the playing surface by a voluntary grounds team led by Craig Johnston.

Club secretary Richie Gledson said: ''In 2014, we were a coin-toss away from throwing in the towel and closing the club for good. Since then, we've rebuilt the club from the bottom up, and now have something to be proud of.''

Appropriately, club stalwart Ian Harkness was on hand to see them clinch the title in style.

Last season's Division One Champions, Haydon Bridge made it four wins in a row at Hexham Leazes. After deciding to bat first, a brilliant 112 from Dale Leadbitter, which included ten fours and eight sixes, saw them post a challenging total of 186/8 from their 40 overs, with Ben Teasdale taking 3-23.

Despite a good partnership between Lucas Holmes (26) and Andrew Whitaker (24) followed by 34 not out from Tom Mawson, Hexham Leazes were bowled out for 165 in the 38th over. All six Haydon Bridge bowlers picked up wickets with their captain Graham Pigg taking a season's best 3-19 from three overs.

Newton (224/7)) won by 33 runs in a high-scoring match at Mitford. Their star man was debutant Scott Richardson who carried his bat for 158 not out, having scored just 136 runs in 14 innings for Whickham earlier in the season. Mitford were always behind the asking rate and finished on 191/6 - Chris Kirtley top-scoring with 55.

Matfen enjoyed a welcome victory at Haltwhistle by 34 runs, despite a batting collapse which saw them slip from 80/1 after 20 overs to 109 all out with Dan Heppell taking six wickets. A weakened Haltwhistle side were 39/8 at one stage before being bowled out for 75.

In another low-scoring match at Wylam, a severely depleted Humshaugh, with six players from the second team, were dismissed for only 57 in 22.4 overs. Wylam reached their target with six wickets in hand in the 24th over.

On Sunday, South Northumberland (125/5) beat Benwell Hill (122 all out) by five wickets to move up to sixth place in the table.

Haltwhistle secured the Division Two title for the first time since 1996 following a hard fought win by two wickets at closest rivals Riding Mill. The home side's total of 138/7 included 39 from Andy Watson and 38 not out from Alasdair Hall along with 30 extras. In reply, Haltwhistle reached their target with almost 16 overs to spare, Thompson seeing them home with 64 not out. Andy and Brian Watson shared seven wickets for the hosts.

Medomsley (160 all out) beat Mitford 3rds by 42 runs. The Durham side were indebted to Dan Johnson (35), Mark Jackson (34) and Tom Johnson (41) before six wickets from Jordan Bell reduced Mitford to 118 all out.

Hexham Leazes maintained their recent good form with an impressive win at Allendale. They scored 206/3 from 40 overs, which included 45 from Matt Joyce and 51 extras. Allendale were then bowled out for 83.

In the other scheduled Saturday match, Humshaugh 2nds conceded to Stocksfield 4ths.

Riding Mill got back to winning ways on Sunday after bowling out Allendale for 95. John Welch top-scored with 34 and for the second day in a row Andy and Brian Watson shared seven wickets. Jonathan Bennett hit a half century as Riding Mill reached 99/5 with 14 overs to spare.

Fixtures: Saturday 18th September

Div One: Belsay v Newton, Haydon Bridge v Wylam, Hexham Leazes v Haltwhistle, Humshaugh v Mitford, Matfen v Benwell Hill, Stamfordham v South Northumberland

Div Two: Clara Vale v Medomsley, Haltwhistle v Hexham Leazes, Mitford 2nds v Humshaugh, Stocksfield 4ths v Allendale.

Sunday 19th September: WTL T20 Cup Final at Stocksfield (2pm) Clara Vale Colliers v Haltwhistle Hurricanes