Stoke entertained Looe on Bank Holiday Monday with nothing but pride at stake. Looe won the toss and batted first.
The Nance brothers opened the batting against Stoke, missing both usual opening bowlers. Jonathan Nance fell early for 13 but Nicholas and Pete Nance added 62 for the second wicket with Robin Trethowan. Late wickets fell in the quest for quick runs.
Looe finished on 195 for 7 with Pete Nance (64) and Robin Trethowan (49) principal scorers. Spinner Lambert took 3 for 40 from 13 overs and Carlos Price 3 for 49 from 14 overs.
In reply Jim Maunder launched into T. Shepley taking 24 from his first three overs, but an accurate full toss accounted for him and he retired. The scoring rate slowed dramatically and slowly wickets fell.
Justin Kidd (16), the retiring Maunder (36) and Jason Every (26 n.o.) batted gallantly but as the light faded Stoke did too, finishing on 157 with two overs to spare.
Mike Pengelly bowled wonderfully as usual to take 3 for 24 from 16 overs and Jonathan Nance took 4 for 31 from seven overs to squeeze into the handbook with 25 wickets.
So Looe are promoted as runners up and head for Division Three with the best wishes of Stoke Climsland's players for a successful season next year.
Scores - Looe 195-7 (P Nance 64, R Trethowan 49; Lambert 3-40, Price 3-49). Stoke 157 (Maunder 36, Every 26 n.o.; J Nance 4-31, Pengelly 3-24).
Looe (19) beat Stoke (6) by 38 runs.