IN A dramatic closing day of the cricket season, Northwich clinched the Cheshire Alliance championship and Hartford missed out on the Division Two title.

Meanwhile, Winnington Park and Winsford made sure they were not relegated - and veteran Gordon Allen created a little bit of bowling history at Weaverham.

NORTHWICH won by two wickets in a tense affair at rivals Sandbach, who also could have gone up into the Cheshire League.

Hero of the hour was Matthew Lightfoot who took 7-18 and then hit the winning runs with two balls to spare.

Sandbach were reduced from 60-1 to 108ao, with Steve Riley claiming a wicket and Ant Shaw the others after bowling unchanged for 21 overs, conceding 57 runs.

Northwich scored a joyous 110-8 after slumping to 31-4. John O'Sullivan (30) and Mark Phillips (26) made the important knocks and Northwich needed 10 runs off the last seven overs - at which point they learned a draw would see them promoted.

Veteran Nick Shaw and Lightfoot were at the crease at the finish to soothe any remaining nerves.

HARTFORD needed only 14 points from the final game at home to Glazebury, who posted a respectable 161-7 (Rob Whittle 2-33, Josh Spruce 2-39, Graham Prew 2-51).

The target should not have proved too difficult, but after Neil Hart was dismissed for 37, Hartford limped along and a late thrash by Spruce (31no) was too little too late and they were all out for 122.

They are still promoted as runners-up but had led Division Two for much of the season.

WINNINGTON PARK may have feared the worst after being bowled out for 125 at Cheadle in the Murray Smith County League First Division.

But all ended well. Upton, who might just have overtaken them, were beaten at Birkenhead Park and some fine bowling had anyway blown away the doubts. James Bunby (3-12), Aidan Baker (3-12) and Stuart Hayes (3-32) combined to bowl out Cheadle for 102.

WINSFORD dispelled their niggling worry at BARNTON.

Needing just seven points to re-main in the Cheshire League Second Division, they picked up 14 for a happy ending.

They scored 198-9 via Nigel Wakefield (37), Jon Phillips (32), Barry Crellin (30), Colin Dean (28) and Mark Dean (22) and Barnton settled for the draw after Matt Bebbington was run out for 48.

Paul Coot hit 43 and Nick Yarwood 22 as Barnton scored 179-8 (Davie Tierney 4-38, Crellin 2-49).

WEAVERHAM 2nds scored their only win of the season in the final game, thanks to Gordon Allen's superlative display taking 9-8 - seven bowled - off 8.4 overs.

His team had scored 112 (Emlyn Roberts 43no) and Rob Dickinson took the wicket Allen neglected as Alvanley fell for 90.

But Weaverham 1sts lost. They were all out for 98 (Dave Holden 21, Jamie Allen 20) at Barrow 168-4.

DAVENHAM, 137ao, lost to Stock-port Georgians 205-8. OAKMERE 219-8 drew with Marple 185-9.

And the team that has dominated Cheshire cricket this season, Murray Smith County League ECB champions Oulton Park won in cavalier fashion at Alderley Edge.

The match fell three runs short of the 600-runs mark: Alderley Edge 298-8dec (Chris Jones 5-90), Oulton 299-4.

Steve Selwood hit a majestic 121 and put on 120 for the first wicket with Nathan Dumelow (53), and Paul Berry smote 85no.

Jonny Kettle, 16, brought his 2nd XI tally to 903 runs with a 67 against Warrington 2nds, who declared at 216-2. Oulton scored 217-6 (Steve Yates 33, Neil Moss 22).