FIRST Division cricket beckons for Chomondeley after a thrilling final day victory saw them snatch the Division Two title.
In a fantastic climax to the season at the Castle grounds, the 1st XI managed to beat Lymm by two wickets with just one over to spare, leaping Alvanley into first spot despite them recording a comfortable win away at Wirral.
In fair conditions, Cholmondeley skipper Mark Jones won the toss and asked Lymm to bat first.
The visitors posted 150-9, opener Andrew Wright top scoring with a splendid 89, but on the whole the Chomondeley bowlers looked in control, Ben Briscoe taking 3-34, Robbie Brown 2-47, while Rich Cooke, Russ Walker and John Williams chipped in with a wicket apiece.
While tea was taken in between innings, a number of telephone conversations confirmed that Alvanley were well on top at Wirral, confirming to the Chomondeley dressing room that a win was needed if they were to clinch the title.
That seemed to put the batsmen under a bit of pressure, and it wasn't long before the reply looked to be faltering badly.
After just seven overs, the home side were in trouble at 14-3, with Lymm's opening bowlers well in control.
But every good side needs players who can keep a level head in a crisis, and Ed Middleton and Simon Fletcher steadied the ship with a timely partnership of 49 before Middleton was skittled by some late reverse swing for 31.
Unfortunately for Chomondeley, Fletcher was not far behind Middleton as he was sent marching back to the dressing room for 32, and another quick wicket had them reeling all over again on 76-6.
A second partnership was needed, and the combined contribution of Briscoe and skipper Jones after they came together in the 25th over was probably what decided the match and, with it, the destiny of the title.
The pair put on a superb half century for the seventh wicket before man-of-the-match Briscoe was bowled for 31.
Jones followed him shortly afterwards for a captain's 30, but by that time the finishing line was in sight and Robbie Brown and Andy Latham were able to see their side home.
Skipper Jones said: 'It was a really good and competitive game and a fitting end to what has been a highly enjoyable and successful season.
'And within 10 minutes of us winning it was confirmed that the second XI had won their league title as well, so it's a marvellous double for the club.'
