The battle for promotion from Division One of the Hunters York & District Senior League has provided a rollercoaster ride for all the teams involved, so it was almost inevitable that the final day of the season would produce further twists and turns ending in delight for both Welton and Goole Town and bitter disappointment for Harrogate.

Welton began the day outside the top two but clinched not the only back-to-back promotions but also top spot with victory away to Woodhouse Grange. Their seven wicket win at Sandhill Lane came courtesy of some excellent bowling from Luke Hills (4-26) and Harry Nightingale (3-37) as the home side were dismissed for 143, Mike Burdett the top scorer with 33. Opener Matthew Wilkinson spearheaded the visitors reply with 63 and a stand of 89 with James Windeatt, who finished unbeaten on 54, all but sealed the win.

Harrogate missed out on promotion as they were narrowly beaten at Knaresborough, who themselves had been in hunt up until a couple of weeks ago. The visitors looked to have given themselves a great chance through Lewis O’Donnell (3-26) and Ben Stokes (3-25), the pair each taking three wickets as the home side were bowled out for 140, opener Greg Pickles making 28. At 48 without loss the reply was going well but when Andy Hawkswell (39) was dismissed the innings fell apart, Andy Ward picked up the key wicket and later in his spell took a further three in the space of five balls eventually finishing with figures of 5-26 from 12 overs. Lewis O’Donnell made a defiant 29 late on but could not prevent his side slipping to a 15 run defeat.

The result from Aspin Lane game came as a great relief to Goole Town, who having concluded their season the previous week, needed either Welton or Harrogate to slip up to ensure they remained in the top two.

Goole now look towards the 2020 season as a Premier League Team and they know that the hard work in 2019 will need to be done again if they are to become regulars at the top table of York League Cricket.