A TENTH championship in 13 years, another Gateshead Fell escape bid almost complete, and Eppleton on the brink of promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history – these were the headlines on the penultimate weekend of action in the NEPL.

It was supposed to be a simple dotting of the Is and crossing of the Ts at Grangefield for the Bulls, and that’s exactly as it turned out. With just 15 points needed to clinch yet another success, South North had no hesitation in inserting hosts Stockton, and after the previous week of rain bowlers were immediately on top, with the Teessiders reduced to 15-4, and after a mini-recovery to 63-5 their last five wickets then went down for just 26 more runs.

Stephen Humble (4-25) and Jonny Wightman (4-26) were the men causing the damage, and with only two men reaching double figures the home team were back in the shed after just 28.4 overs with only 89 on the board. Another 24.2 overs later it was all over, Rob Peyton’s 68-ball 59 rushing the perennial champions to another pennant.

At the opposite end of the table the big relegation battle went in favour of a Gateshead Fell side now supremely versed in pulling off escape acts, only this time they look to have given themselves a much easier route to safety after defeating Blaydon by six wickets at Eastwood Gardens.

The visitors were in the wars immediately, their first two wickets falling with just 4 on the board, and when three more went down in the 50s it looked like an early finish was on the cards. But a battling 107-ball 48 from Geoff Stewart, followed by an unbeaten half century from Graeme Bridge, enabled a semi-decent total of 156 to be posted before Rob Stacey (4-26) cleaned up at the end.

Stacey then laid claim to the man-of-the-match accolade with a rock solid opening 56, and with partner Tom Pinkney hitting 42 from 48 balls the serial escapologists weren’t going to be denied as they eased to a six wicket success in 47.2 overs. The win, their fourth in five games, lifted them 24 points clear of their dismayed opponents who now look likely to be relegated for the first time in their history.

And waiting in the wings to take their place are Eppleton, who virtually ended Burnmoor’s hopes of making it a remarkable four titles in a row in three different leagues when they won the Church Road encounter between the leading pair by three wickets after successfully chasing down a target of 227.

Moor had Stephen Meek (16 fours and 2 sixes in 94) and Neil Young (7 fours and 1 six in 64) holding out hope of another success as the visitors set what looked like a demanding target, but in a positive batting display, which involved almost the whole team, Gary Burlinson’s half century, followed by an unbeaten 49 from Calum Jefferson set Eppleton up for success.

Despite a thumping win for Willington over relegated South Hetton, it now looks as though only Washington can stop Eppleton celebrating next Saturday night. They picked up a 75-run home win over Boldon after Mel Betts and Jak Gaff shared eight cheap wickets as the visitors crumbled to 106 all out when trying to chase down 181-9.

Washington moved up to second, eight points behind Eppleton, as a result of their victory. Eppleton’s final game next Saturday is at Boldon, while Washington will be going for maximum points at South Hetton.