Cirencester CC team wins an indoor title (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Cirencester CC team wins an indoor title

CIRENCESTER CC have clinched the Division 3 championship of Swindon's Indoor Cricket Association for the 2004/5 season.

This marks a second successive promotion for the club and they will play their indoor cricket in Division 2 next winter.

Town finished level on points with New Generation and took the title by the narrowest of margins by virtue of a higher runs scored per wickets lost average.

Cirencester's average of 29.361 topped New Generation's 27.954 to ensure first place.

Rich Hudson led the way with the bat for Town, scoring 222 runs at 44.40, whilst Tom Putney, in his maiden indoor season, took eight wickets at 17.63 backed up by a miserly economy rate.

Wicket-keeper Andy Cooper captained the side astutely and there were notable performances from Dan Hudson, Dan Robbins, Andy Walker and Carl McQueen.

The team's most distinguished victory was against title rivals New Generation in February.

Having won the toss and elected to bat first, Town slumped to 13-4 after four overs, seemingly out of the contest at an early stage.

Nonetheless, Cooper and McQueen steadied the ship before a late innings rally pushed Cirencester up to a disappointing 72-4.

What followed was a thrilling response, as accurate bowling and exceptional fielding underpinned Cirencester's efforts as they continually put New Generation under pressure in the second innings.

Wickets fell steadily and the final wicket ensured a 25-run victory and jubilant celebrations.

Town lost in the second round of the Knockout Cup to eventual winners Wootton Bassett.

This defeat came not without a fight, though, as Cirencester rattled up 119-2 before Bassett scraped home by one wicket off the very last ball of the game.

A youthful Cirencester squad has impressed both umpires and league officials alike this winter and can look forward to further indoor success in the future.