Champions!

A victory over Pegasus & Corringham on Saturday saw Aythorpe Roding clinch the

T Rippon Mid-Essex Premier League title.

It's Aythorpe's third premier league championship in eight years, winning in 1999 and 2000.

"We said at the beginning we hoped for a top five finish, but if we had everybody fit we could give it a go and we are really pleased with how things went," said captain Richard Dunmow.

"We bowled really well this year and never had a massive total to chase, which was key and things seemed to go our way. We used 18 players this season and it was a real squad effort and we couldn't have hoped for any more."

Dunmow believes the victory away at Corringham at the end of June was the turning point in Aythorpe's season.

"We went 30 points behind, but then we got our game in at Corringham while others in the top four were rained off so we managed to close the gap,"?he said.

"We lost only once in the back end of the season and our results put pressure on the other sides up there with us. To win it on the last day makes it even sweeter and shows what a strong league this is."

He added: "It is very satisfying as eight of the squad played in 2000 when we last won it and we thought our time had gone. Now we hope we can go on and win a few more!"

Pegasus batting first, reached 170-7 in 45 overs with Hubbard (27), Laird (26), Gray (25), Jenkins (27), Hymas (18) and Hutchinson (15), all scoring well.

Andy Clarke starred with the ball again, claiming 3-36 in 12 overs while Neil Culleton chipped in with 3-43 in 11 overs.

Aythorpe got off to a solid start in reply with Dunmow hitting 27 and Paul Gravatt 14, as the opening pair put on 40 runs for the first wicket.

Mark Rosewell came to the crease and hit an impressive 36, but two quick wickets fell and Aythorpe found themselves in 133-5.

However Andy Clarke and Graham Milbank came to the rescue, Clarke hitting 50 not out and Milbank ending on 22 not out as Aythorpe reached their target in the 33rd over, scoring 171-5.

Hockerill visit Aythorpe on Saturday for a friendly clash, 1pm start,

Aythorpe Roding seconds won the division 10 league by 58 points, following their nine wicket victory at Hullbridge second on Saturday.

Hullbridge were dismissed for 68 in 26.1 overs, with L Mclaren (17), the only batsmen to reach double figures.

# Bennett 4-20 in nine overs, Elliot Reeve 2-10 in six overs, Dave Elsworth 2-11 in five overs and Sean Darby 1-5 took the wickets.

Aythorpe reached their target in the 14th over, with James Reynolds (34 no), Dave Brierley (14) and Martin Sully (14 no) securing victory for Roding, reaching 69-1.

Aythorpe Roding defeated Woodcutters by 21 runs on Sunday.

Roding reached 215 all out on helped by Paul Gravatt who hit 92.

Aythorpe bowled tightly and Woodcutters were skittled out for 194, giving the hosts the victory.