DORSET Funeral Plan League chairman John Ridout has hailed this summer’s campaign a triumph at the annual presentation evening.

Prizes were handed out by the league’s sponsors at the event, which was held at Wimborne & Colehill Cricket Club.

Ridout said: “It was lovely to see so many completed fixtures compared with last season. We only had one or two washouts when no cricket was played.

“As a whole, the leagues were very competitive with some sides on the path back to former glories and others maintaining their success of recent seasons.”

Nick Douch, from the sponsors, said: “The cricket is competitive but played in the right spirit and that is why we are pleased to continue to sponsor the league and be associated with it.”

Once again it was Parley who marched away with the Premier League title, winning it by 35 points and losing just one match.

Skipper Rosham Embalalagama received the award for the team that has won the league or finished runners-up for the last five years.

The team play at Dean Park, the former county ground in Bournemouth, and held off nearest challengers Ferndown Wayfarers.

Wayfarers’ captain Eric Linge picked up the runners-up award, a great achievement after several seasons flirting with relegation.

In Division One, Sherborne came out on top by quite some distance. Paul Hancock received the award and will be hoping that his team can once again become a major force in the county’s cricket scene.

Runners-up in Division One were Bere Regis who started slowly but had a great finish to the season.

Due to a restructuring of the leagues, no team is promoted from Division One to the Premier League, but neither Sherborne or Bere Regis lacked in motivation.

There was a nail-biting conclusion to the season in Division Two with just two points separating firstand second. Christchurch were the winners with Shillingstone the runners-up.

Both teams won 15 games and lost one. Cerne Valley and Cattistock fought things out at the top of Division Three and they were separated by just eight points in the end with Cerne Valley taking the title.

Cattistock’s Martin Langford received the runners-up award, one of two he picked up on the night.

In Division Four, it was Wareham who topped the table with just one defeat and Bridport finished second after pipping Pimperne. Liam Toohill was present to collect the award for Bridport.

Shillingstone Seconds came top of Division Five (North and West), narrowly beating Crewkerne, while in Division Five (South and East) it was Sturminster Marshall who beat Swanage Seconds to the title.

After chalking up 14 wins it was Chalke Valley who took the title in Division Six ahead of Charlton Down, whose representative Peter Tucker.

The evening also saw several special awards presented.

These included the team achievement award which was won by Christchurch and collected on behalf of the club by Ben Rayner and Nick Marsh.

Ben Bridgen from Wimborne & Colehill received the achievement award for scoring a magnificent 133 and then taking 7-26 in the same game.

Groundsman of the year was won by Martinstown and the fair play award was claimed by Swanage.

Ian Booth, from Swanage, was presented with the award by Merrick Wilkinson, a member of the umpiring committee.

List of winners

Premier League – Winners: Parley, Runners-up: Ferndown Wayfarers

Division One Winners: Sherborne, Runners-up: Bere Regis

Division Two Winners: Christchurch, Runners-up: Shillingstone

Division Three Winners: Cerne Valley, Runners-up: Cattistock

Division Four Winners: Wareham, Runners-up: Bridport

Division Five (S&E) Winners: Sturminster Marshall, Runners-up: Swanage Seconds

Division Five (N&W) Winners: Shillingstone Seconds, Runners-up: Crewkerne

Division Six Winners: Chalke Valley, Runners-up: Charlton Down

Special awards

Groundsman of the Year: Martinstown

Individual Performance: Ben Bridgen from Wimborne & Colehill

DACO Fair Play Award: Swanage

Team Achievement Award: Christchurch