CRICKET: Lechlade take the WEPL title with a flourish (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Lechlade CC party under way after nail-biting league run-in

4:34pm Monday 3rd September 2012 in Sport

West Of England Premier League (Wiltshire Division).

Lechlade 67-2 Wootton Bassett 63 all out. LECHLADE secured the WEPL Wiltshire Division Championship when they cruised to an eight-wicket victory over Wootton Bassett at the Manor Ground on Saturday.

Lechlade won the toss and asked Bassett to bat first on what looked like a very damp and tricky wicket.

Lechlade got off to a flier when Ali Killham spectacularly ran out prolific opener Harvey Cummings without facing a ball in the first over. Luke Sellers quickly followed up with the wicket of Sam Lawro, caught and bowled for four, and the visitors found themselves rocking at 9-2.

Darren Beasant and Steve Twine briefly mounted a fightback but when they were both out for 12 and 11 respectively, Bassett quickly collapsed.

Lechlade captain Paul Godding was the pick of the bowlers with 5-12 as the visitors were eventually skittled out for 63 in just short of 30 overs as the hosts also secured seven very valuable bowling points.

At tea, Lechlade felt a 22-point win would be enough to lift the title and as they waited for news to filter through from the other key games they decided to open the batting with Godding and Ross Jeffels.

Lechlade’s nerves were not helped when Jeffels was bowled by Lawro for nine with the score on 20. Arran Dickinson came to the wicket and very quickly dispatched a four and six to the boundary. He and Godding then set about knocking off the remaining runs and the pair looked to be cruising home before Godding was caught off the bowling of Ali Wood for 24 with the score on 61. Dickinson and Godding had crossed before the catch was taken and as a consequence Dickinson faced the next ball, hitting a lusty six to deep mid wicket to win the game for the riverside club with 37 overs to spare.

Lechlade had posted a quick 21-point win and now faced an anxious wait for news of their title rivals.

They soon learned that Great Bedwyn could only get a maximum of 22 points, which would not be enough and when it was established that Burbage & Easton Royal were unable to catch them, the Lechlade party started.

Lechlade coach Luke Sellers said: “It’s a relief it is all over and we have achieved our goals in what has been a very difficult season with the weather.

"The boys have all worked really hard and fully deserve to win the title.”

Godding added: “I never doubted our ability to win this league and the boys have not let me down. They have all contributed at some point during the season and I am proud of every one of them.”

An ecstatic Lechlade chairman Paul Rowley said after the game: “We set our stall out to win the league this year and have succeeded in spectacular fashion.

"All credit to captain, coach and players. I am proud to be chairman of this great club and this is just the beginning of a very bright future I am sure.”