NEWTON le Willows will play in the Premier League of the Love Lane Liverpool and District Cricket Competition next season after finishing as Division One champions.

The hosts secured the win they needed over local rivals Rainford after dismissing the visitors for 85 thanks to Ali Sartaj (5-30) and Siddiq Patel (3-17) before their batsmen clinched a five wicket victory in the 31st over.

Newton le Willows join Rainhill in the top tier after Mike Rotherham's side finished sixth following a heavy defeat to Bootle who desperately needed a win to avoid relegation. Ross Higham top scored with 86 as the visitors reached 189 all out, but openers Will Hale (90no) and Owais Shah (88no) made light work of the target to secure a ten wicket victory which due to Southport and Birkdale's win was not enough to keep Bootle up.

Back in Division One, St Helens Town finished a miserable campaign with a 14th defeat of the season at Northop Hall. Harry Rigby top scored with 32 as Town were dismissed for 148 before the Welsh side reached the target for the loss of seven wickets. Robert Shuttleworth (3-36) recorded the best figures for the visitors who finish bottom of the table.

Sutton finished their season with a win over Division Two strugglers Alder after three wickets apiece for Alex Oldfield (3-35), Joe Smith (3-14) and Chathura Ranawaka (3-20) restricted the visitors to 111 all out. 61 from Greg Harvey secured a five wicket win for Sutton who finish seventh.