A win for The Main would see Richie Walker's men mathematically assured of promotion, should results elsewhere go their way.

However, after last week's debacle at Morpeth, the skipper was taking nothing for granted.

Asked to bat first on a decidedly green looking surface, Main openers Agarwal and professional Ali made a rapid start, thanks to some exquisite strokes from Agarwal and some wayward bowling from Chopwell's Smith.

However, when Australian Spurr got one to keep low and clean bowl Agarwal, Chopwell will have hoped for some respite.

It was not to be as the olive-skinned Malcolm Clarke, fresh off the plane from sunnier climes, tucked into some friendly bowling with the look of a man in a hurry to get back on the sun-lounger.

Clarke raced to a maiden half-century for the club in exhilarating style.

At 90-1, The Main looked well set for a big total.

However, Ali departed, lbw to another shooter and Clarke tried to whip one too many through the leg side and was bowled by the left-armer Stewart.

Davie Tweed unfurled some blistering drives and classy cuts on his way to 27 but went for one lofted drive too many and was caught at cover.

Thereafter followed a procession of Percy Main batsmen and the total had limped along to 175 before Bond was last man out, harshly adjudged lbw.

In reply, Chopwell sent in Wilkinson to open the innings, with clear instructions to throw the bat at every delivery he faced.

He and fellow opener Hornby chugged along, riding their luck and to a half-century opening stand.

Skipper Walker then introduced himself and Ali into the attack and the pair of left-arm spinners accounted for both openers, Wilkinson departing for 33 to a breath-taking catch on the boundary by Steve Knight.

But not before the visitors reached 100-2.

Walker then brought back opening bowlers Nihalraj and Butler and the pair began much tighter second spells as the fightback had begun.

Restricting the scoring rate and picking up wickets along the way, Butler accounted for Australian Spurr and the lanky Tams, with Nihalraj blasting out Chopwell captain Veitch and professional Smith among his four victims.

The collapse was complete when Tinnion was last man out, stepping straight in front of Walker's arm ball to be plumb lbw.

Chopwell were 31 short but had certainly made The Lions work hard for their victory.

Later, news came through that Lanchester, third in the table, had lost, meaning Percy Main are promoted to Division A1.

However, two more wins will see them crowned Division A2 champions, which is the prize Walker and his team really desire.