Kennedy the hero as Parkside clinch title in epic decider
Seaham Parkside clinched the Second Division championship in an amazing title decider against Horden Cricket Club.
Horden would have won the title by beating their rivals, but Parkside edged home 5-4 in their final game of the season to move five points clear, with the cricketers having one match left.
Man of the match Michael Kennedy was the star turn for Parkside, in their 12th win of the season, scoring four times, with Andrew McGhin also notching.
Parkside, who were always in charge, 3-1 up at halftime, were presented with the trophy after the game, sparking celebrations.
The cricketers, whose marksmen were Dan Gething, Dan Sennett, Michael Ridley and sub Kyle Johns, need a point against thirdtop Acre Rigg SC to clinch runners-up spot. Fourthplaced Peterlee Hearts, with two games to go, can still catch their points total.
Referee Ashley Cooper was praised for his handling of the title decider. Reece Brymer starred for Horden.
Acre Rigg SC, meanwhile, beat Sherburn United 3-1 with Chris Anderson, Graeme Coxon and sub Tudor Marcu all on target. James Luke netted for Sherburn, whose star man was Mike Ambler. Matty Pattinson stood out for Rigg.
Dawdon Welfare Park need just one more point to retain the Premier Division title - after handing out a 5-1 defeat to second-top Horden CW Supporters Club.
Two goals apiece from Robbie Bird and man of the match Kyle Middleton, and an effort from Kyle Bell, killed off Horden’s title challenge, with Craig Harbord firing the reply. John Bowes starred in vain for Horden.
Easington CIU are set to finish in second-bottom spot after only drawing 2-2 at home to Murton Colliery.
Goals from Simon Todd and Rob Huntley were levelled by Matthew Johnson and Liam Appleby for midtable Murton, with Ryan Pinder starring.
Scott Danks’ double helped Shotton Comrades to a point win a 2-2 draw against Peterlee Catholic Club, for whom James Hall and James Harbord struck.
In the First Division, Peterlee Oaklands finished their season on top of the table despite being hammered 7-1 by title favourites Easington Lane WMC.
They are six points clear of Easington Southside, but fourth-placed Lane, 10 behind but with seven games in hand, look the best bet.
Scott Henderson notched a superb hat-trick to inspire Lane’s ninth win in 11 league games, with John Quarmby, Callum Haswell, and substitutes Stephen Francis and Jordan Garside also netting.
Karl Arkwright struck for Oaklands, with Tom Gillings their top performer.
The race for the two promotion places was opened up by second-top Easington Southside’s surprise 2-0 defeat to Hetton Social Club, who ended a poor run of results with a brilliant win.
Karl Powney and Neil Stevenson came up trumps for Hetton, with Rob Mayo starring. Luke Barnes shone for Southside.
Wingate Plough Inn are ending their season in great style after hammering Murton New Hesledon 8-0.
Sub Jay Fletcher fired a hat-trick, with Jack Hart and Andrew Forrest adding braces, along with a goal from Dave Cummings. Dan Owen stood out for Murton.
Peterlee Hearts completed a quickfire cup final double by lifting George Ivey Memorial Cup in last Friday’s final at Shotton.
Hearts, fresh from winning the Second Division Cup, cruised to a comfortable 7-3 victory against Hetton Fox and Hounds.
Carl Winstanley’s brilliant hat-trick paved the way for their triumph, while twogoal Jared Jones, Michael Coates and Stuart O’Hara completed the scoring.
Matthew Price fired a double in vain for Fox and Hounds, while Antony Thirkell also notched.
Peterlee Helford United reached their second cup final of the season when they defeated Premier rivals Seaham The George 5-1 in a one sided John & Pat McManus Memorial Cup semi-.
Johnny Briggs (2), Gary Shaw, Dan Reeves and Karl Garside did the damage, with Adam Wallace replying. Adam Wilson shone for George.
Tonight, Easington Lane WMC meet Wingate Plough Inn in the Cyril Dunn Memorial Cup final at Seaham Red Star (6.15pm kick-off ).