Newborough Bulls complete an outstanding season with a remarkable Rutland Division One title win, promotion for Orton Park after a nail-biting finale

The villagers looked dead and buried when suffering a 20 point deduction for fielding an ineligible player in a game against Ufford Park in July. They also lost the 19 points won from that game.

But on Sunday a dominant 87-run win over title rivals Peterborough Town at Bretton Gate, and a defeat for overnight leaders Uppingham Town at Barnack, sealed the first top-flight title in Newborough’s history.

‘The Bulls’ needed to beat Town convincingly to ensure the latter’s final game against Ufford Park next Sunday (September 20) became an irrelevance and they did just that, triumphing in a match reduced to 30 overs-a-side by 87 runs.

Former Town player Sam Jarvis was the star man for the champions, following an unbeaten 80 in his side’s 180-2 with a 3-5 spell from six overs as the hosts slumped to 93 all out. Jack Stokes contributed a run-a-ball 48 for Newborough while Vamshi Parvathaneni picked up 3-7.

The success completed an outstanding season for ‘The Bulls’ who also won the Stamford T20 Shield for the first time as well as finishing runners-up in the Stamford T20 Charity Cup and the Lincs Championship South Division. The club’s under 11 team became Hunts champions for the first time as well.

Barnack dismissed Uppingham for 176 and raced home in under 30 overs for the loss of six wickets. Shehzad Amir (4-16) bowled best for Barnack before Husnain Tariq (57) and Nadeem Mohammed (49, 33 balls) showed good form with the bat.

Burghley Park have been relegated 12 months after winning the title despite a crushing final game 182-run win at bottom club Uffington. James Laud (76) and Craig Burton (71) top scored in Burghley’s 303. Mohammed Azhar (6-23) and Harry Armstrong (4-3) took all 10 Uffington wickets between them.

Orton Park pulled off a thrilling two-wicket win at home to East Carlton to pinch the Division Two title from Pak Azad. Four wickets for Adrian Van Der Westhuyzen and three for Jalen James helped dismiss the 10-man visitors for just 118, but Orton then slumped to 30-6.

Van Der Westhuyzen and James both scored 20 as did Oli Calpin to steer Orton home. Pak Azad will also play in Division One next season after winning a third straight promotion.

Oundle Town need six points from their final fixture next Sunday to pip Ketton Sports to promotion in Division Four alongside champions Kimbolton. Oundle beat Upwood by 70 runs yesterday after a solid team display and take on lowly Kettering on the final day of the summer.