CLECKHEATON have won the Bradford Union Scratch League for the second time after they just pipped Shipley on a tense final evening.

Needing just a point against their nearest rivals, who would have clinched the title themselves with an 8-0 whitewash, Cleckheaton edged over the line with a 6-2 away defeat as Nigel Colbeck birdied his last three holes to claim a crucial 5&3 victory over Calum Hey.

Having first won the crown in 2009, their success ended Bingley St Ives' three-year reign as champions and left team manager Cec Bloice delighted.

The former Yorkshire and England amateur captain said: "It was a pretty exciting finish. It was always going to be tough going to Shipley as they are a very good team.

"But we knew that 8-0 was a tough ask for anyone. Thankfully Nigel came to the rescue and closed his match out with Calum but winning the title was not just about the last match – it's about all the games throughout the season and we were worthy winners."

The stakes were raised this season with just half a dozen teams in the top flight and two of those facing the drop.

Bloice said: "The competition was tougher with only six teams and 33 per cent of them going down.

"It was nip and tuck. One minute you were contesting the leadership and the next you were looking over your shoulder at relegation.

"We lost both matches to Shipley so they are probably a bit sick but it's judged on the whole season."

Key victories came over St Ives and Baildon, Cleckheaton beating both title rivals 5-3 home and away.

Bloice, who played in the 1985 Walker Cup, explained: "Going to Bingley and winning the first game was a statement in itself and it could have been 6-2. Beating Baildon away was also significant as you never know what the conditions are going to be like and they have good players."

Ex-professional Chris Green, Colbeck – who also won the Bradford Amateur Championship this season – and Bradford Union captain Martin Gaffney have provided plenty of experience for Cleckheaton, while Jamie Lavin and Oliver Tasker have also played key roles.

Former Brabazon Trophy winner Peter Fenton, Tom Vertigans and Simon Irving also featured.

The club based near the M606 are hoping their league triumph is not the end of their success this season.

They are still in the national Daily Mail five-man team competition, in which they play Burnley, and they have made it through to the Yorkshire Team Championship at Bradford, having qualified in fifth place in the Second Division at Sandmoor last month.

Though Green is unavailable at Hawksworth, Bloice said: "We know the course well and we go there with confidence."