Cirencester Cricket Club players are honing their skills indoors (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester Cricket Club players are honing their skills indoors

AFTER making good headway last summer, Cirencester CC players are now honing their skills indoors during the winter months in preparation for the 2004 season.

And the club's first season in the Cheltenham Indoor Cricket Association has proved an excellent opportunity for the younger element to gain experience from some intense competition.

At the half-way stage, 13 players have represented Cirencester and, although the team finished in sixth place in Division 4, the excellent leadership of captain Iain Butler ensured they all learnt much from the experience.

Opening batsman Rich Hud-son, all-rounder Tom Burgess and bowler Butler stood out along with the excellent work of wicket-keeper Alex Harris.

Highlights in the Cheltenham competition were a 48-run victory over the Gloucester Citizen, largely thanks to Andy Lobo's undefeated 31.

In the club's second season in the Swindon Indoor Cricket Association, the team is flying high at the top of Division Four.

An excellent record of five wins in five matches to date is evidence of both the ability of the players and the superb leadership of batsman Andy Cooper.

Notable in the runs department have been Rich Hudson (117 at an average of 39) and captain Cooper (85 at an average of 43).

This has been backed up in the field by a high percentage of successful run-outs and the bowling of Dan Hudson (six wickets at an average of 19) and Tom Burgess (four at an average of 29).

The squad has been aided by Matt Carter, who has impressed behind the stumps, and batsman Dan Robbins, who made his indoor debut only this year.

Highlights have been a four-wicket win over Nationwide in a fiery match and victory over Swindon Civil Service by way of losing fewer wickets after the game finished in a tie.

Although Cirencester suffered a rare defeat against Nalgo in the first round of the knockout cup just before Christmas, they produced their best display and came close to causing an upset.

On losing the toss and being asked to bat first, Cirencester made their highest indoor total to date of 133 in their allotted 10 overs (Dan Hudson 43no Rich Hudson 29no and Andy Lobo 20).

Although their rivals crept home with one wicket to spare, Cirencester had shown just how much their performances, both individually and collectively, have improved this winter.