Hopton Mills pip Liversedge to crown in dramatic finale

Hopton Mills captain Richard Myers receives the Championship trophy from CYL chairman Mark Heald following a dramatic end to the season.

Mills went into the day leading Liversedge by a single point and after torrential morning rain it appeared both the title contenders would see their matches abandoned.

There was a dramatic twist when Caribbean failed to turn up for their game at Liversedge — the third time this season this has happened — and the Roberttown Lane side were awarded six points.

A monumental mopping up process began at Woodbottom as Mills knew they had to take maximum points from their game against Wakefield St Michael’s to win the title.

Just 25 minutes before the scheduled cut off point, Hopton’s game began.

Remarkably, Hopton dismissed St Michael’s for just 51 runs in 20.5 overs thanks to the superb bowling efforts of Ashley Mackereth (4-14), Andy Grey (3-4), Michael Carroll (2-13) and Brad Drake (1-9).

With more storm clouds gathering, Hopton openers Mackereth and overseas player Neil Browne knew they faced a race against time to complete the win.

Mackereth (30no) and Browne (26no) hammered the required runs from just 5.2 overs to secured the Championship trophy by one point.

There was added satisfaction from the Hopton Mills contingent that they will also play in the second tier of the newly formed Bradford Premier League next season.

The CYL have confirmed that Hopton, along with Premier Division clubs Townville, Wrenthorpe, Ossett and Batley will be placed in one of two Championship sections next season.

Methley and Birstall had been accepted into the Bradford League for 2016 before merger talks began and will also play at Championship level.

The remaining CYL clubs will be placed into one of two Conference Leagues, which will form the third tier of the new structure.

n Caribbean’s membership of the CYL has been terminated with immediate effect.