Nicholsons of Stalham NEN LeagueEast Ruston lifted the Salter and Frith Division One title on Saturday, ending their season with a 1-1 (Adam Rowland) draw at home to Lyng for a result that beat outgoing champions Buxton to the winning post by one slender point.

Nicholsons of Stalham NEN League

East Ruston lifted the Salter and Frith Division One title on Saturday, ending their season with a 1-1 (Adam Rowland) draw at home to Lyng for a result that beat outgoing champions Buxton to the winning post by one slender point.

However, Buxton got their own back at Greens Road, North Walsham on Monday morning when they completely outclassed the league champions 3-0 to win the prestigious Optic Benevolent Cup.

After Saturday's success Ruston's team boss John Nicholson said: “After losing a number of our top players from our championship team two season's ago we had to rebuild, and that is a programme not yet complete. However, the young players we have brought in have produced this excellent achievement in winning the Division One title.”

Nicholson agreed that Buxton were the better side on Monday and deserved their victory.

Buxton's general secretary Glenda Platford confirmed the club had applied to return to the Anglian Combination League and said: “I felt we were desperately unlucky not to win the league championship, but this cup success endorses our application to rejoin the Anglian Combination with our ground standards having been given a facelift.”

In Monday's final Buxton dominated from start to finish and opened the scoring through William Abbs, who added the second inside the first 15 minutes to completely unsettle the league champions. The result was put beyond doubt when Darren Rust-Andrews netted a third.

In Wayford Nurseries Division Two, Coltishall join Horning in gaining promotion to Division One after a 2-2 draw at Happisburgh Reserves.

Coltishall also won the Rivett's Motors Division Two Cup final last week, beating Runton 3-1. The Colts' marksmen were Mark Neave, Richard Neave and Ross Joy, with Jamie Gilbert replying.

In Knights Trophies Division Three, Corpusty Reserves have to win in their final game at home to Cawston to finish runners-up and gain promotion ahead of Stalham A, with Holt A already champions.