YORKSHIRE over-60s veterans first team were involved in a thrilling County Championship weekend as they captured the Premier Division title.

The Yorkshire squad of Phil Cawser, Steve Kosmowsky, Fred Yeung and Helen Shields were in top spot at the start of play, having won all their three matches in the first round of fixtures.

Sussex were one point behind and Essex two adrift – but these two teams would provide the opposition on a dramatic final day.

Yorkshire had a 7-3 victory over Hertfordshire on the first day, with Cawser taking both his singles and Kosmowsky and Shields one each, while Yorkshire won all three doubles.

The final day saw Yorkshire make a dream start with a resounding 9-1 victory over Sussex. Cawser, Kosmowsky and Shields were all unbeaten in the singles, with Yeung adding one and the team again taking all three doubles.

Sussex were now out of the picture and the scene was set for a showdown with Essex. Yorkshire only needed a draw – but that looked unlikely as Essex came out all guns blazing to open up a 5-1 lead and leave their opponents needing a miracle.

Kosmowsky pulled one back with victory over Terry Guymer and it became 5-3 when he joined Cawser to take the men's doubles.

Cawser then faced former England international Stuart Gibbs in the last singles and he kept the dream alive with a victory that made it 5-4.

This meant the final mixed doubles would decide the title outcome and Cawser, who was unbeaten in singles and doubles all weekend, joined Shields to overcome Peter Radford and Gillian Locke 3-1 and complete an amazing comeback.

BRADFORD LEAGUE – Division One: Yeadon A 6 Highdale A 4, Embassy Police A 6 Dewsbury Tog B 4.

Division Two: Hermits E 3 Pudsey A 7, Fastbats B 4 Hermits D 6.

Division Three: Pudsey B 4 Rastrick 6, Hermits F 4 Hermits G 6, Baildon A 4 Hermits I 6.

Division Four: Hermits J 4 Baildon B 6, Hermits L 4 Thornbury 6, Baildon C 8 Hermits J 2, Hermits M 1 Hermits K 9.