Thornton stayed the course in fine style to claim the Craven Cricket League Division One title with a last-day win at Haworth to head off the challenge of defending champions Embsay.

The Booth Bridge Lane side finished their campaign just a point ahead of Embsay after a thrilling run-in, a three-wicket win bringing the team their 15th success in 22 matches. Crucially, they have been beaten only three times, whereas their rivals Embsay have suffered four defeats.

Although league officials took a neutral stance with the championship trophy before the game, once victory and the title were achieved, the silverware soon caught up with the celebrations in Earby.

While things eventually came right for the new champions, at 59-5 things were by no means healthy and it needed the experience of No 7 Brian Laycock to steady the ship with a priceless 38.

Even when he was dismissed at 112-7, Haworth still had high hopes of upsetting the odds, but Mark Paxton, who had earlier claimed 4-32 in helping to dismiss Haworth for 140, joined Mark Procter and they steered the side to victory with ten balls to spare.

Embsay stayed in position to retain their title should Thornton falter when they won by eight wickets at home to Carleton.

With Stephen Speak (7-29) in fine form, the Ramper Park men were dismissed for 88, Ed Tiffany (36) and David Robinson (34no) laying the foundation for a comfortable win.