Royal Norwich snatched a last gasp victory in the Norfolk ladies' scratch league to continue their impressive record in this competition. There have only been two years in which they have failed to win the league.

Royal Norwich snatched a last gasp victory in the Norfolk ladies' scratch league to continue their impressive record in this competition.

There have only been two years in which they have failed to win the league. Only Swaffham and Barnham Broom have the distinction of taking the title on those rare occasions.

And this year it was again Barnham Broom who ran the champions oh-so close, with the title decided on matches won after the two teams tied on points.

They both scored 13 points but Royal Norwich won 12.5 matches while Barnham Broom won 12.

Sadie Lines, the Royal Norwich team captain, remarked: “We've had some exciting matches in the past but this year it really went down to the wire.”

The outcome of the league was only decided when Royal Norwich had played their last game, at home against Hunstanton. They needed to win 2-1 to secure an overall victory.

After the first two matches finished - both on the 17th - both teams had a point apiece. The decider was the third game and the two players, Sadie Lines and Hunstanton's Cheryl Sanders reached the final tee all square.

“It was very exciting,” said Sadie, who won the 18th. “It was just one of those things - I got a putt in and she didn't. We had quite a battle early on but we were all square after 16 and then also halved the 17th.”

During the season Royal Norwich played Thetford, The Norfolk, Barnham Broom, Costessey Park and Hunstanton. They won all their matches except against Barnham Broom with whom they halved.

In Division Two the winners were King's Lynn with 15 points. The runners-up were Eaton with 12 points.

Next season a second team from Royal Norwich and a team from Bawburgh will be joining the scratch league and it will be run in three divisions. Division one will have five clubs and the other two will each have four.