The Three Counties Northumberland Cricket League Premier Division side got their hands on the Thomas Wilson Memorial Cup – the league's flagship cup competition – after an emphatic 83-run win over Stocksfield at Jesmond's County Ground last Tuesday.
An inspired 180 first wicket partnership between Matthew Hall and Stephen Dargue helped guide the Castle Field side to a storming first innings total of 215-1.

In what was just a 20-over encounter, Hall was unbeaten on 103 and Drague was out on 86.

And the north Northumberland side were just as dominant with the ball. Skipper Doug Potts led by example – taking 5-37 – to help dismiss Stocksfield for just 132.

And the captain, who led Warkworth to previous Wilson Cup triumphs in 2001, 2004 and 2006, said: "We are delighted to have won. It was a fantastic performance from the guys. We played with a great tempo and effort.

"We target this cup at the start of every season because it is the league's premier cup competition and I think all of the teams look to do well in it."

In what he described as "a formidable total", Doug praised the batting heroics of Hall and Dargue, who scored at a rate of around 11 an over.

Pleased with his own performance with the ball, Doug also paid tribute to bowlers Martin Clark, Adam Hall and Stevie Lee.

He added: "I was delighted with myself but I'd rather concentrate on the all-round team performance because it was a great effort by everybody."

The win, which helped ease the pain of Warkworth's Wilson Cup semi-final defeat last term to Blue Flames, has also set-up a potential league and cup double.

The Castle Field side sit just four points behind table-toppers Kirkley. And although Warkworth slipped to a league defeat on Saturday, ironically against Stocksfield, Warkworth's leader is optimistic that they can add the Premier Division crown to their trophy cabinet.

Targeting a fourth league triumph under his leadership, Doug said: "The league title is something we are aiming for and it is very much open.

"There are four or five teams who could still win it and I think it is going to go all the way.

"We are in the mix and it is up to us to maintain the good form which we have shown prior to last Saturday for another seven games or so."

And 2008 could mark a tremendous season for the club. Warkworth's second eleven face Wooler in the Johnnie Johnson Alnwick & District Cricket League Vice Presidents Cup final on Sunday, August 17.

Warkworth team v Stocksfield: Doug Potts, Stephen Dargue, Matthew Hall, Adam Hall, Bill Pringle, Mark Robson, Derek Attell, Matthew Currie, Eric Hall, Martin Clark, Stevie Lee. Scorer: Joan Davison.