With nearest challengers Oundle collecting just five points after their penultimate match was called off at Buckminster, Rushton knew victory over Town would clinch the Division One crown.

And the celebrations on the pitch after wicket-keeper Danby had run out young Chris Miner with a direct hit from the final ball of the match spoke volumes for how much it meant to a composite side.

After an entertaining six hours or so, Town needed just five from the final over to overhaul Rushton's 230-9 with three wickets in hand, but they suffered two run outs and a dot ball to fall just short which was a shame for teenager Matt Milner (26no) who had thumped his side to the verge of victory with some late hitting.

Earlier Alan Burton had played beautifully for 81 and Daniel Oldham contributed a stylish 40. Rushton's top scorer was David Willey who had played for ONs against Town 24 hours earlier - the winners also included Northants Academy player Dan Bendon and Rushden's Aqib Javed.

Scorecards:
Division OnePETERBOROUGH TOWN lost to RUSHTON by 1 run

Rushton
J. Danby c M. Milner b Akhtar 14
D. Willey st C. Milner b Burton 56
M. Aditia lbw Smith 37
A. Javed st C. Milner b Hussain 27
D. Bendon lbw Smith 4
B. Armer st C. Milner b Hussain 25
S. Kearns c Burton b Smith 6
M. Jackson not out 19
B. Williamson lbw Hussain 0
J. Smith b Smith 14
D. Johnson not out 3
Extras 24
TOTAL (9 wkts) 230
Bowling: A. Akhtar 8-2-35-1; B. Hussain 12-1-44-3; R. Kendall 5-0-29-0; D. Oldham 3-0-30-0; A. Burton 6-0-33-1; J. Smith 11-0-47-4.

Peterborough Town
A. Burton c Danby b Jackson 81
D. Clarke b Johnson 28
A. Mitchell c Kearns b Aditia 15
D. Oldham c Willey b Jackson 40
A. Akhtar c Aditia b Willey 1
C. French c Bendon b Jackson 15
M. Milner not out 26
B. Hussain c Jackson b Aditia 8
J. Smith run out 1
C. Milner run out 1
Extras 13
TOTAL (9 wkts) 229
Bowling: D. Willey 12-3-36-1; J. Smith 4-0-28-0; D. Johnson 7-0-29-1; D. Bendon 5-0-20-0; M. Aditia 6-0-37-2; M. Jackson 9.1-1-57-3.

Cancelled: Buckminster v Oundle.