IN THE closest title race for many years Bibury have won the Gecko Cricket CDCA Division One title by a single point over runners-up Cricklade.

While Cricklade were keeping an electronic eye on proceedings from their end-of-season tour in Weymouth, Bibury and opponents Great Rissington 2nd XI were dodging the heavy showers.

Great credit must go to both sides for successfully completing a 35-over game which went to Bibury by just five runs.

Batting first Bibury posted a creditable 177-6 off their 35 overs; Will Scott (68) was the main contributor with support from G Phillips (24) and Charlie Robinson (23).

For the hosts Dave Griffin (2-20) bowled well. After the break hosts Great Rissington got off to a solid start through John Surch (46) but faltered in the face of a good spell from C Birts (3-29).

Having looked like falling well short a resurgence was sparked by Nick Emsley (41*) who took his side to within six runs of the target when the overs ran out.

All in all this was a fitting climax to the season which sees Bibury crowned champions in the first season of their return to Division One after an absence of 16 years.

It is their first league title since the early 1990s.

Barnsley Beeches finished third after their match at home to Tetbury 2nd XI was disappointingly abandoned after 17 overs of the second innings and with Barnsley well placed. Tetbury batted well to post a very competitive 180-7 with Joe Selwood (66) and James Meacham (52) making the major contributions. For Barnsley Josh Odom (2-19) bowled well but it was three run-outs that made the difference.

After the break Barnsley set about chasing this target with gusto by adjusting the batting order to suit the task in hand. Stuart Gregory (24) and Yohan (24) got them off to a rapid start but wickets began to fall as they pressed hard to beat the rain.

James King (2-15) was the most successful of the visiting bowlers but in the end the wet conditions prevailed and the match was abandoned.

The visit of Sherston Magna to Longborough & Sezincote had a similar watery fate and may have been heading in favour of the visitors when the rain halted proceedings.

After being invited to bat hosts Longborough found run-scoring difficult in the conditions and were bowled out for 82 despite a decent knock from Gary Luker (32).

In reply Sherston kept the score moving but wobbled as they reached 45-4 when Mother Nature intervened.

The match between Oakridge and South Cerney was cancelled due to a wet pitch.

The end-of-season Presentation Evening and EGM takes place on Tuesday, September 26 at Cirencester Cricket Club starting at 6.30pm.