Both sides went into the match with a chance of winning the title, with hosts Sidley needing 22 points more than their visitors to snatch the honours.

Sidley declared at 180-7, leaving Keymer a target of 120 to win. At 38-3 the nerves started to jangle, but a partnership of 69 between Jo Barnes-Gratton (32) and Nathan Cooper took them to the brink, and when Barness Gratton fell Michael Johnson came in to make 74 with Cooper.

Having past the 120 mark, the pair took Keymer onto 181 to win the game, and league in style – the first time the club have won a championship since joining league cricket in 1979.

A delighted skipper John Price said: "It was a brilliant way to finish the season after having such a good second half of the season, bar one game which was rained off we have won every game.

"The success of the season really comes from the team spirit which has been created by the squad."

For the full story see this week's Mid Sussex Times, out on Thursday.