THE thrilling race to secure the second promotion place in division four was not settled until the very last session of play on the final day of the season.

And that decisive final game also resolved the issue of who must seek re-election alongside wooden spoonists Scunthorpe Town 3rds at next month's league annual meeting.

Sunday saw Alford 2nds and Stamford Homes clash at the former's ground – Alford knowing they needed five points to avoid second-from-bottom spot, and the Grimsby visitors realising they needed the same haul to pip South Kelsey 2nds for second place at the eleventh hour.

The 64-run, 20-point win by Mick Barton's Stamford side means they go up alongside champions Washingborough, while Market Rasen 2nds – not Alford 2nds – must apply to have their membership of the Lincs League extended into 2010.

Saturday had produced deep disappointment for South Kelsey 2nds when they 'blew it' with a six-wicket defeat at home to Hykeham 2nds.

Skipper Tony Potter's undefeated 63 helped Kelsey post what looked a decent enough 175 for nine. And he shared in an impressive ninth-wicket stand of 75 with Cameron Craigie, who made 27. This has since been confirmed as a new divisional record for Lincs League division four.

But the visitors eased home, despite the efforts of Barry Potter (three for 55).

Although overshadowed by the importance of the result, there was a very interesting talking point in this match – Kelsey's experienced batsman Andy Walton being given out handled the ball after stopping it from dropping onto the stumps after looping up into the air off his pads.

Law 33 states a batsman is out handled the ball if he willfully touches it, while in play, with a hand (or hands) not holding the bat – unless he does so with the consent of the opposing side.

Understandably, this is one of the very rarest modes of dismissal in any standard of cricket.

This match result means Hykeham 2nds finish in fifth place.

Champs Washingborough won emphatically by nine wickets against bottom side Scunthorpe Town 3rds, who will be seeking re-election.

Umar Gondall led the way with 56 in Town's all-out 166.

Washingborough were then guided home in style by the division's most successful batsman of 2009, James Sewell, who finished 55 not out.

Town's only wicket of the day was taken by Declan Toyne.

PROMOTION AND RELEGATION

The league's usual policy is two up, two down – wherever possible.

PREMIER DIVISION: Champions, Hartsholme (to be promoted subject to confirmation by the Lincs ECB Premier League, where Messingham and Caistor were the bottom two sides); runners-up, Haxey; relegated, Alford and Broughton (needing to be confirmed at the Lincs League AGM next month).

DIVISION ONE: Champions, Cleethorpes 3rds (cannot win promotion due to the Meggies' 2nds already being in the premier division); runners-up, Scunthorpe Town; third place, Appleby-Frodingham 2nds (promotion to the premier division is dependent on satisfactory ground facilities after inspection); relegated, Alkborough 2nds and Grimsby Town 2nds.

DIVISION TWO: Champions, Louth 2nds; runners-up, Hykeham; relegated, Keelby and Holton-le-Clay 2nds.

DIVISION THREE: Champions, Outcasts 2nds; runners-up, Haxey 2nds; relegated, Keelby 2nds and Caistor 3rds.

DIVISION FOUR: Champions, Washingborough; runners-up, Stamford Homes; seeking re-election, Market Rasen 2nds and Scunthorpe Town 3rds.

Nigel Fisher is compiling a team-by-team review of the Lincs League season, accompanied by complete end-of-season batting, bowling, wicketkeeping and fielding averages for all divisions from league statistician Andy Sharp. Make sure to get your Scunthorpe Telegraph next Friday.