AS SQUIBS go it was certainly damp, but not as damp as the previous week when not a single game started.

In the final round of Newroc Homes Darlington and District League fixtures three matches stayed afloat, but this only heightened the sense of frustration amongst those marooned as Barton surged past Ingleton to retain the Division A championship.

In the knowledge that Ingleton's game at Aldbrough had failed to beat the incoming tide, Barton's efforts to make their ground playable were richly rewarded even though they could only set sail after a lengthy delay, the game reduced to 25 overs per side.

In the shortened match Barton's batters made light of the heavy pitch as they handed the Cockerton attack a drubbing.

Openers Neil Kearney (29) and Martin Clark (20) dived in head first, and there was no respite once they'd gone as John Murray (52no) and Tony Millar (68) had the visitors floundering.

Murray cracked six fours and two sixes, but the biggest splash was made by Millar as he waded into the bowling, wellying five fours and seven maximums in the process of securing the five bonus points that meant the title returned to Barton.

But even though the hard work was done there was no port in a storm for Cockerton , the visitors sunk for just 90 in 22 overs as Danny Shoulder (3-8 in five overs) and Brian Hull (3-18 in seven overs) ensured Barton's ship came in for the second year running.

Land was also sighted at Middleton St George, but it had a sting in the tail for the home side as a superb innings saw all their hard work to get the game on submerged in a barrage of big hitting.

Once again the contest was reduced to a 25-over affair and George sailed serenely to an impressive 183-3, with John Bainbridge (53) and Mohammad Ayub (38) establishing a solid bridgehead from which Joe Binks launched into visitors Lands with a salvo of seven sixes in an undefeated 56.

But if the hosts thought they were in safe waters they had reckoned without Mike Bredenkamp pushing the boat out for one last time this season.The Lands opener was simply unstoppable as he smashed the bowling to all parts, hitting the winning runs at the same time as bringing up a sensational century - 84 coming in boundaries, including no fewer than eight sixes.

With all other games abandoned as draws Trimdon's relegation was confirmed along with Spennithorne. East Cowton and Catterick Village were already assured of promotion but the Villagers were handed a golden opportunity to nick the Division B title at the very last when their home game against Brompton was the only one to beat the elements.

But Brompton failed to read the script and swamped their hosts by 88 runs after racking up a score of 190-5. A Allinson (57), Mark Frankland (41no) and Anthony McGeough (38) were the men among the runs, and then Paul Felstead (4 for 41 from 11 overs) burst through the Catterick defences.

The never more aptly-named Inshore Fisheries Langbaurgh League closed for business with not a single match taking place, the inactivity confirming Hutton Rudby's relegation from the top flight, and Ingleby Greenhow and Moorsholm's sharing of the Bob Lowther Cup for the Division 2 championship.