Henley retained the Division 1 title in the Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League and confirmed Aston Rowant’s relegation with a thumping 135-run victory at the Brakspear Ground on Saturday.

Welwyn’s defeat by Oxford, opened the way for Henley, and they seized their chance to win the crown again by outclassing Rowant.

The visitors, needing a victory and results elsewhere to go their way to extend their stay in the top flight beyond one season, inserted Henley on winning the toss.

But the home batsmen were in little difficulty, with a consistent batting display taking them to 283-6 dec in 64 overs.

Skipper Bjorn Mordt was top- scorer with 72, while his opposite number, Wes Morrick again bowled throughout the innings, finishing wth 4-97.

Rowant got off to a bright start through Tim Morgan and Alex Jewell, who fashioned an excellent half-century.

But the introduction of spinner Carl Crowe caused a dramatic collapse.

Amazingly, four Rowant batsman were out stumped as they attempted in vain to chase their big victory target.

In the end, they were out in just the 36th over for 148, Crowe finishing with 6-33.

After the result from Oxford came through, Henley could celebrate as champions.

Relegated along with Rowant are Potters Bar, after a last-day Houdini escape by Harpenden.

Harpenden started the day 23 points behind opponents Potters Bar.

But they made up the deficit with a 28-run win – losing only one wicket in the process – and then stayed up on a countback of draws after the two teams had finished level on points.