UNDEFEATED throughout the whole season, Haydon Bridge are celebrating their latest title triumph after completing eight wins with aplomb.

The West Tyne Cricket League season was extended to the end of September after play was finally given the go-ahead in mid-July.

After all, what’s a summer without cricket?

Haydon Bridge were faced with playing all their matches away from home due to ground issues, but never looked in trouble.

A final day 98-run victory over Hexham Leazes helped secure a 29 point advantage at the top as the season drew to a close.

Bridge won the toss and decided to bat against a Leazes side battling it out for second place.

But it was the prolific batsman Neil Kendrew who, once again, top scored for the side with a score of 53.

Knocks of 27 and 25 from Robert Gibson and captain Graeme Pigg respectively steered the champions towards a strong score of 167-7 in 35 overs.

The Leazes reply quickly collapsed despite a promising 18 from Ben Griffiths and 16 from Andrew Whittaker.

However the Bridge’s brilliant bowling figures of 5-8 for Liam Stephenson and 4-21 for Gavin Boyd, who finished the season as the highest wicket taker in Division One, tore through the Leazes batting attack to bowl them all out for 69.

As triumphant skipper, Pigg said the team’s bowling attack was a strong point throughout the campaign.

“The overs were reduced from 40 to 35 and that helped us a lot,” he said.

“We have won every game so the team spirit has been very good.

“I am pleased that there was a decision that we could play every team and kept it as a league like normal seasons. We’re all confident we can put up a good fight next season.”

Haydon’ Bridge’s gain was Hexham Leazes’ loss as they slipped to third place two pints behind Newton. Newton’s victory over Haltwhistle saw them leapfrog Hexham Leazes and finish the season in second place after six wins in 10 games.

The team secured a four wicket victory over last season’s Division One champions in a low-scoring tie.

Haltwhistle were put into bat first by Newton and struggled to take a foothold in the game after losing top order batsmen for low scores that failed to threaten.

Archie Richardson (20) top scored for the home side, but bowlers Andrew Jones and Andy Goulding soon took three wickets each to bowl Haltwhistle all out for 75 in 29.2 overs.

In reply, Newton opener William Archibold’s 29 not out steered the side through the run chase and towards victory.

Jim Balkwill’s 21 runs provided some top order fire power and not even Thompson’s bowling figures of 3-3 off four overs could stop Newton as they reached to 76-6 off 28.3 overs.

Newton finished the season in second place on 134 points.

O’Neill Richmonds West Tyne Senior Cricket League

P W L Pts

Haydon Bridge 9 8 0 163

Newton 10 6 4 134

Hexham Leazes 9 6 3 132

Humshaugh 10 5 4 125

Stamfordham 9 5 3 115

Haltwhistle 10 6 3 114

Benwell Hill 9 4 4 102

Belsay 9 3 6 81

Mitford 9 2 7 72

Matfen 10 1 4 62

Wylam 10 1 9 61