Barwick win the league

HAVING seen off the threat from all angles, BARWICK IN ELMET are officially 2004's Wetherby News League champions.

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With the title race undecided until Saturday night and as many as three teams still in the running, Nick Swales' men finally got their hands on the Division One trophy after a 97-run victory over Old Modernians.
And the skipper was still coming back to earth this week.
"It's not been a bad week," he said.
"Obviously to finish the season as champions is fantastic and the second team winning promotion to Division Two is also great for the club.
"But we had a few rocky moments in our final game.
"I was out in the first over and then we were 100-5 at one stage, but Brian (Wheelahan) batted well again as did

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xml:namespace prefix = st1 />Marc Broadbelt. Then Pete Causon and Matthew Blackmore batted well at the end to get us up to 214.
"I think it's the first title we've won since 1996 so there were a few pints drunk on Saturday night."
Barwick were walking a tightrope during Saturday's game as a defeat would have handed the title to Church Fenton, and a rained-off draw would have meant having to share the spoils.
But despite a few distractions they remained focused on the win.
"It was quite amusing during the game as a few of the Church Fenton players came down to watch," said Swales.
"They'd won their game but if we'd been rained off they probably would have shared the title with us - so things did get a little bit heated at one stage!"
Barwick have repeatedly wrapped up recent seasons in the top three or four, but Swales felt the success of this season was down to consistently strong team performances - with a bit of Australian spice thrown into the mix.
"I don't think we ever sat down at the beginning of the season and said 'right, we're going to win it this year'; we always just take it game by game," he said.
"But I think this year we owe a lot of our success to Brian Wheelahan.
"He's flown home now, but has been a revelation in his bowling and his work ethic was tremendous.
"I think his being here has taken up from being a top-three team to a title-winning team."
With the season now over and seven months before they return to the field Swales believes this season's success will continue to pay dividends in 2005.
"It's been a great season for the club so we really can't complain," he said.
"I think it's the first time a first division side and third division side from the same club have both won their divisions; it shows the strength in depth that's at this club and gives us a real platform to continue building upon next season."