THE club cricket season ends with a bang today, with three teams in with a realistic chance of winning the NYSD Division One championship, two clubs meeting in a unique play-off to determine who will win promotion to the Durham Senior League, and South North flying the North-East flag in the ECB National Club Championship final.

Just 12 points separate Barnard Castle, Marton and Redcar as they play their final league matches, with Premier Division Thornaby watching and waiting.

Barney are in pole position, but they were at the same stage of the 2009 season when they blew a seven-point lead on the final day.

This time they are eight points ahead of Marton and require 12 to be certain of playing in the Premier Division for the first time.

On this occasion they have home advantage against a Seaton Carew side who have had one of their poorest campaigns for many years.

Barney should be at full strength, their only doubt being Andrew Toulson, who faces a late test.

If Marton, who meet Darlington at Feethams, come through on the rails, they will be the first second string to win the division since promotion was introduced 14 years ago. If they do come out on top, Thornaby would be spared relegation.

Redcar are the outsiders, but are the only team in any of the divisions to remain unbeaten this season. They should prove too strong for hosts Normanby Hall, who are already relegated. Only Tim Hood is missing from the Seasiders line-up.

Durham County League champions Kimblesworth threw a late hat into the Durham Senior League promotion ring, meaning a playoff match between themselves and Coast League champions Boldon CA has been hastily arranged, at Norton today (12.30 start).

The game will be played under DSL league match rules, meaning there could be a draw. In such a case the team with the most bonus points would be declared winners.

In the event of no play because of the weather then a bowl-out takes place.

There is a further hurdle to negotiate as both teams have already been provided with details of work they must carry out to improve their grounds by the end of October to the satisfaction of the DSL executive for promotion to be granted.

The County Ground at Derby is the venue today for the National Club final with South Northumberland taking on Middlesex Premier League champions Ealing.

Brendan Ford is still out so 18-year-old Sam Jobson, who has impressed in recent matches, keeps his place in an unchanged line-up.

South North go in search of a unique national double, the Cockspur Cup finals day at the Rose Bowl taking place next Thursday and televised live on Sky.