Matt Warren's side went into the game knowing ten bonus points in the first innings would be enough to earn them the title.

They chose to bat, backing the men who had performed in recent weeks.

But things started badly when Ben Hansford was given out lbw in the third over – and four balls later Chris Spedding followed with a loose shot.

This was the Middleton of earlier in the season, but Steve Collins again showed his consistency.

Not fussed by the loss of wickets, he continued his recent run-fest, accumulating nicely and putting together an excellent partnership of 77 that put Middleton back in control of their own destiny.

Bognor took the pace off the ball and eased the run flow, although Collins was looking to dominate.

And as he passed 50, his team-mates were begining to hope he could record the ton he had deserved the week before.

But he was soon given out caught behind for 65.

With Hoare gone, Middleton also lost Pacey and Carroll and were in big trouble at 118 for six.

Warren joined youngster Eddie Towner at the crease, and the pair looked to bat through the 50 overs and put themselves in with a chance of reaching 200.

Clarke and McGuigan bowled well but there always seemed a four ball available and the scoreboard ticked along. Towner passed his 50 and Warren hit the last ball of the innings for a boundary to take Middleton over the magical 200 mark and secure the points they needed.

The score looked 30 or 40 short of what was needed and Bognor's openers looked comfortable.

Former Middleton player Tom Laforet looked in good touch, playing some excellent shots, while youngster Ashmore had few problems.

Ashmore went first, clean bowled by in-form Mark Carroll, who followed that with a wicket in the last over of his restricted spell, having Elliott Clarke caught behind by Warren for a duck.

When Laforet went, Bognor looked in trouble, but a brilliant partnership between Phil Ball and Lee Seward hauled their team back into the game.

Middleton didn't bowl well, but Ball in particular played superbly.
Matt Hansford was bowling well but the runs were flowing from the other end.

A change saw Carroll come back early and the game changed completely as he picked up the vital wicket of Ball, caught behind, and then ran through the Bognor team like a knife through butter – the visitors collapsing from 153 for three to 184 all out.

Carroll finished with a brilliant eight for 60, the best figures for a Middleton bowler in recent years.

Skipper Warren said: "One thing that can be said for the team this year is that when the chips are down someone has come up with a performance with bat or ball that has changed the game. This happened in both innings on Saturday and has been a crucial part of the team's success."