STRETTON ended a fantastic season with a final flourish to claim the Cheshire Cricket Alliance Division One title over neighbours Appleton, with both teams sealing promotion.
A draw at home against Pott Shrigley was enough on the final day, while Appleton won by 78 runs at Trafford Metrovics.
Starting the day needing 10 points to clinch the championship, Stretton had no hesitation in batting first after winning the toss knowing that maximum batting points would do the job.
The hosts wasted no time in racing to 83 before the loss of the first wicket, two more quick wickets fell, but by the time the fourth tumbled the score had progressed to 241 for 4 and the tag of champions had been secured.
The Stretton batsmen then decided to cut loose and amassed a massive 349 for 8 thanks to a big hitting hundred from M Khan, who finished with 127, and notable contributions from N Bahl, 39, H Raza, 42, and A Zubairi, 66.
Nothing would dampen the party by now and Pott Shrigley in reply finished on 161 for 5.
Captain Ehsan Malik, not one of Stretton's regular bowlers, enjoyed figures of 2 for 77 from 12 overs.
Also promoted, Appleton CC
This result topped off a fantastic season for Stretton as the league title was added to their earlier cup success win, when they beat local side Rylands in the final by 45 runs.
Fellow Division One side Glazebury ended the season in fifth after their final game at Tranmere Victoria was tied.
Rylands narrowly missed out on promotion from Division Two, finishing third.
Their second team finished the season with a victory at home to Port Sunlight.
Batting first the Gorsey Lane club posted 193 for 8, with runs for openers Andrew Mansfield, 35, and Stephen Brady, 30. Geoff Shaw's 40 was the innings to score.
In reply Port Sunlight were bowled out for 176, with Steve Howarth and Tim Taylor both picking up three wickets each.
Stretton's second XI also enjoyed a successful season and finished in second place, winning the majority of their games by huge margins as only a couple of under-par performances cost them the title.
Stretton's junior section has overcome the disappointment of not fielding an under 13s or 15s team.
Iain HIll and Dave Cauthray have kickstarted thriving under 11s and, for the first time, under nines sections for a promising future.
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