Sawley III (233/9) are not champions for nothing, having notched up 12 wins already, and they set off at pace. However, Staples the bowler turned in an even more impressive performance that stopped the L.E Park surge, returning his best ever 5/46 to secure his side a place in 2E for 2004.

Long Eaton went into their clash away at Attenborough knowing a win would see them finish as 1A runners-up, not a bad return for the runners-up of 1B last season. Attenborough were in need of a win themselves to ensure their place in 1A and it was they who were to be successful having dismissed Long Eaton for a mere 85 with Sam Culow (8/25) returning the division’s best bowling performance on the final Saturday. Umar Hassan (4/39) did his best to rally Long Eaton as he has in all his games but Attenborough (89/5) would not be denied the victory.

Gedling Colliery were relying on Long Eaton’s loss as they collected the 20 points needed to move them into the coveted runners-up spot, having passed Balderton’s 178/7 total with ease for the loss of only 4 wickets. Peter Jacka (6/19) dismissed Gotham (98) then saw his side, Plumtree, race home by 7wkts, the win took them into 3rd position. Eastwood Town join Gotham as relegated teams but gave it all in their final encounter against Radcliffe who batted 1st and scored a modest 145/9. Eastwood threw everything into the chase but slipped up by 8 runs.

Newstead Abbey are promoted to 1A after their 31 run win over Bramcote (169). Nottingham and Stanton-by-Dale go down. Stanton (206/9) went down fighting with a creditable win over Notts. Amateurs (167) whose usual tail end bat Martin Raynor rose to the dizzy heights of No.3 and scored a quick fire 45.

1C has seen a number of teams fighting for the coveted top two positions but it was Ellerslie who timed their promotion push to perfection. Another win, this time over 2nd place Newark, sees them take the 1C crown in impressive style beating Newark (138/9) by 5wkts. Newark entertain West Bridgfordians next week and both sides need points for very different reasons. Bridgfordians (128/8) loss to Wilsons (131/8) in the final over of the day means they still need 4 points to avoid the drop. Thurgarton’s (129/3) win over relegated Risley (123/8) means that Newark must not lose in order to keep hold of the 2nd spot.

Hickling (100/3) have their 3rd straight championship, winning 1D after beating Farndon (97). Lady Bay Boots (219/8) secured 2nd place beating Whatton & Aslockton (143). Wymeswold, who needed Boots to slip up, thrashed Toton Sycamore. Sycamore (133) were annihilated by Richard Shelton who hit 104* of Wymeswold’s 137 which took just 21.3 overs.

Awsworth are in the top 4 teams, which sees them in the top divisions of the new structure, after beating Beeston in a very competitive but sporting game. Matt Winfield capped a successful season, scoring 112 of Awsworth’s 181, while Beeston (171) came mighty close to a victory.

With the West Indian Caribs already crowned as 1E champions it was left to Long Whatton and Old Dalby to scrap for the final place. Whatton (86) had an off day as they slipped up to Ravenshead (133) whilst Old Dalby (138/6) beat Lowdham (136) who survive relegation by 0.03pt. The 4 points that Long Whatton achieved were enough to secure them the runners-up spot.

Two weeks ago Cotgrave crushed Snibston Grange to go top of 1F and looked firm favourites for double promotion as their 2nds were in prime position in 2G. Cricket is not a predictable game and losses last week and this sees them miss out completely. Epperstone, who have never featured in the top 2, inflicted a 5wkt defeat on Cotgrave (97) which also sees them leap frog over Cotgrave to claim the runners-up slot behind Snibston Grange, who are double champions as their 2nds won 2G.

Winless Woodborough (150/9) finally recorded a victory, beating West Bridgford (50), Matt Lane doing the damage with 6/22. All promotion and relegation places were decided before the weekend’s games but Richard Durham insisted on making his mark on the division as he hit a personal best 182* for Welby against Lambley.

Lenton Abbey had a week off after completing their fixtures last week and knew that any sort of win for Hoveringham would see them slip into the runners-up position. Nottingham Victoria may not have been aware of how much they were helping Lenton as they demoralised Hoveringham (88) as they raced to a 6wkt victory handing Lenton the 1H crown.