THE first stage in the re-emergence of Cirencester CC as a force in local cricket can be completed on Sunday.

Having comfortably won the top division of the Gloucestershire County League with two games to spare, they face Charlton Kings in the County Trophy final at the weekend.

Under the stewardship of captain Gareth Williams the town side have put behind them the agony of finishing second in four of the five previous seasons and this time they got over the finishing line in some style.

Ironically, it has not earned them a coveted place in the West of England Premier League owing to the restructuring of local cricket which comes into force in 2016.

“It would have been nice to have the status of playing in the WEPL,” admitted director of cricket Tony Wood. “Had we won the title in any of the years we finished second we would have been promoted.

“This year we found the X-factor to get across the line but it is the culmination of a number of years of hard work and development at the club.”

Despite playing in the same division next year their task is set to become more difficult.

As it stands at the moment the clubs in the Bank House Glos CCL Division One next season will include three sides – Cheltenham II, Apperley and Painswick – repatriated from WEPL; Cirencester will again tackle this season’s rivals Westbury-on-Severn, Cam, Corse & Staunton, Kingsholm and Redmarley.

They will also be joined the champions of division two – with Tetbury currently in pole position.

“It’s going to be tougher again next year and we will have to prove ourselves of the required calibre,” admitted Wood.

“We probably have about seven players in the seconds who could play first XI cricket – but not for two to three years.”

But there is no question of Cirencester going out to headhunt players.

“We have a good group who have developed a stubborn refusal to lose," said Wood. "Jock Jamieson-Black has proved strong with both bat and ball and latterly Will Mason has come good. Sixteen-year-old Jono Jamieson-Black further underlines the success of the youth policy at the club rather than bringing in overseas players.

“By having success you attract players. Tom Fullalove came back to the club this season from Purton and I would love to see other former Ciren players return to the fold.”

Tony Woods' 2nd XI (second in their division) could yet make it a double celebration and on September 20 the club officially open their refurbished pavilion.

It all seems a long time from the club’s lowest ebb which prompted Brian Hudson to take over the role of chairman.

Hudson recalled: “During the mid 1990s, Cirencester were up at the very top of WEPL or its predecessor.

“But five successive relegations saw them in County League Division Two for the 2003 season. Only a change of captain (to Richard Graham) in August, 2003 narrowly avoided a sixth consecutive relegation.

“In 2004, the regeneration of the club from the bottom-up started to bear fruit and the 1st XI was promoted back to County League Division One.

“The initial years were a struggle but more recently they have competed for the title every year.

“It is excellent news that the foundations laid by some 24/7 blood, sweat and tears back then have created a legacy both on and off the field at the club.”