SALTERNS Working Men's Club hold the record for the shortest reign as cribbage Division 1 champions - about nine hours in fact.

While watching his Salterns side lose 5-4 from 3-0 up at Ford Sports & Social Club, Andy Mitchell, captain of the Warsash-based club’s A team, nearly fell off his chair with laughter as he recalled the final moments of the Southampton & District Social Clubs League’s 2003/04 season.

Following the final match of the season, the league’s games secretary Andy Brooke declared Salterns champions.

But Brooke was forced to ring Mitchell in the morning as Hythe and District Club had actually nicked the title on legs difference.

Salterns’ shock 9-0 defeat at Warren Social, Hythe’s 8-1 victory over Bitterne Cons and a late result card caused the confusion.

Brooke said: “I remember it well.”