Cirencester Cricket Club > News > September 2005 > Weekend round-up

Weekend round-up
Tuesday 6 September 2005

The final league weekend delivered the desired results for Cirencester after a season that will be reflected on with a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction.

Having been promoted from third place in 2004 the Cirencester First XI was always going to find things tough, and they were not helped by injury to some important players. On a nail-biting final day, with the final relegation spot on the line after Cheltenham Civil Service were relegated the previous weekend, they travelled to Tewkesbury while fellow strugglers Ruardean Hill hosted Fairford.

Although Cirencester lost by 64 runs, an impressive bowling and fielding performance earned five vital points that kept their place in the division by (an average of) 0.1 of a point. Youthful skipper Andy Reynolds and his players can now re-group over the close season and, with a number of young players having gained invaluable experience, they should be well placed for the 2006 campaign.

The Second XI hosted Cheltenham Saracens and leading wicket taker Oliver Whitaker (5-56), well supported by another miserly spell from Tom Putney (2-7) and fifteen year olds James Denyer and debutant Toby Burgess Smith who both returned 1 for 17, had them reeling on 80 for 9. The innings could not be finished off and a 10th wicket stand stretched the score to 123 before the final dismissal. As events turned out, this final stand saved the Saracens from relegation. In reply Dan Robbins continued his purple patch with a quick-fire 61 and with Andy Lobo scoring 41*, the Town knocked off the runs with 30 overs to spare to confirm an impressive runners-up spot following promotion in 2004.

Equally impressively, the Thirds beat Avening and Cherington at the Park by 67 runs to finish in 6th place, the best performance for many years.

On Sunday, the Friendly XI notched a handsome victory at Malmesbury by 142 runs and the Under 15s rounded off their season with a fine win against visitors from Cheltenham Cricket Club.