CHARLTON Down have won the team of the year award at the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League annual presentation evening.

The team, who won the Division Five crown, shared the award with Stalbridge Seconds.

Sherborne were presented with the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League winners’ trophy.

The event, held at Wimborne and Colehill CC, heard that the champions held off the strong challenge from the most successful team of the last decade, Poole Town, who finished runners-up.

Merrick Wilkinson, who along with league chairman John Ridout, announced the winners, said: “In their first year back in the Premier League since 2007, the champions recruited wisely to boost an already talented squad.

“Sherborne and Poole Town finished with an almost identical playing record, so bonus points proved decisive.”

Nick Douch from sponsors The Dorset Funeral Plan presented the awards and said: “We’re proud to continue to sponsor Saturday cricket in Dorset.

“There are seven highly competitive leagues, which are played in a great spirit. I’d like to congratulate all the winners.”

In Division One, Shillingstone took the title, winning 14 games and holding off the challenge from runners-up Bere Regis.

Christchurch will be playing Division One cricket next season after winning the Division Two title, beating Cerne Valley into second place.

In Division Three, Stalbridge Seconds topped the table, holding off the strong challenge from Ashmore.

The Division Four title was a thrilling contest between Shillingstone Seconds and Sherborne Seconds, with both teams winning 13 games.

In the end, Shillingstone took the title by just two points.

Bere Regis Seconds held off the challenge from Witchampton Seconds to take the Division Six title.

There were several other awards presented including groundsman of the year, which went to the team from Martinstown.

The performance of the year was won by Broadstone’s James Brown whose score of 162no in the Premier League saw off some stiff competition.

This came from Mike Collinge of Cerne Valley who took 7-7, Compton House’s Mike Harper who scored 158no and Karl Jones of Kingston Lacy who took 8-13.

The Dorset Cricket Board Young Player of the Year award was presented by Julian Shackleton who said: “Of the names on the trophy, 10 have gone on to play Minor Counties cricket.”

He then presented the award to young bowler Josh Richardson.