RU: Wilmslow RUFC were crowned league champions following an eight-try rout of St Edward's Old Boys.
Closest rivals Aspull - who had a game in hand - crashed unexpectedly 14-11 at the hands of mid-table Northwich.
That handed the South Lancs/Cheshire One title to the NEA-sponsored Wolves along with promotion to North 2 West.
Wilmslow step straight into the lion's den this Saturday with a taste of next season's action when they visit Stockport (third in North 2 West) for the clubs' annual memorial match.
Beer flowed and champagne corks popped when they least expected it at Pownall Park.
Coach Steve Hanson was in the middle of a dressing-room inquest following a lacklustre performance when manager Simon Johnson burst in with the news from Northwich.
Many had feared the championship would go down to the wire and a nerve-wracking final encounter at Aspull a week on Saturday.
The title is a reward for seasoned skipper Alex McLennan and player coach Steve Hanson, in his first season at the Memorial Ground.
But The Wolves' success was overshadowed by the unexpected death last week of committee stalwart and former player Mike Ecroyd, at the age of only 58.
Wilmslow president Rick Green paid tribute to Mike: "His passing goes right to the core of this club and our deepest sympathy and love go to his wife Carole, daughters Samantha and Abigail, and son Ben, who is currently vice captain of the second XV at Pownall Park."
All 60 players in the first and second team fixtures paid a minute's silent tribute to Mike before kick-off on Saturday.
His memory was toasted long into the night at Pownall Park, where skipper McLennan and coach Hanson paid tribute also to the backroom boys who made their success possible.
Both singled out manager Simon Johnson as a lynchpin at the Memorial Ground and remembered also the many players who had come and gone with injuries throughout the season.
McLennan said: "I'm very, very pleased, both for Steve and the whole squad.
"We have been the best side in the league all season and it feels very good to be going up.
"We have put a lot of hard work and commitment into this season and it is down to the players who have turned up week in, week out, rain or shine.
"It is difficult to single out individuals, but hooker Jed Hill, flanker Charlie Levings and fly half Ross Hunter have proved invaluable.
"That is not to say players like prop Scott White and scrum half Chris Campbell haven't played their part too. Lock forweard Nigel Day is still around as well, filling in just when we need him."
Coach Hanson was just as delighted: "It wasn't the best performance of the season, but I don't mind how we win the league title.
"I'm very proud of the boys. They have worked really hard all year. Now we have been promoted, we will have to work just as hard at staying in North 2 West."
Promotion means a series of lucrative 'derby' games next season for Wilmslow against local sides that used to feature regularly at Pownall Park in pre league days.
The Wolves will be entertaining the likes of Stockport, Lymm, Altrincham Kersal, Winnington Park and Broughton Park for the first time in a long time.
