CHARLTON Down celebrated their best season ever on and off the field at their end of season presentation dinner at the Gamekeeper in Charminster.

The Saturday team won the league and promotion for the third consecutive season, together with the Dorset League Team of the Month award for August and also the prestigious Dorset Funeral Plan League Team of The Year award jointly with Stalbridge.

The award celebrated not only winning the league but also with the highest points gained throughout all the divisions and the most important part of the award was that it was completed with young players being given the opportunity to play an important role in all aspects of the game.

The awards is a huge testament to all the hard work which has been put into a small club which is only been in existence for 11 years and will be hard to replicate the season.

The Sunday team also finished in their highest league position in the club’s history, a very creditable third in a strong Sunday second division.

The major awards were as follows:

Chairman’s Cup: Rich Fagence – Outstanding Service to Club

Performance of the Season: Dan Stevens – 5 overs, 3 maidens, 3 wickets for 3 runs.

Most Wickets: Matt Stevens 65

Most Runs: Jae Miller 1134

Wicketkeeping Dismissals: 16

Saturday Players' Player: Jack Eveleigh

Sunday Players' Player: Matt Stevens

The club’s success continued with their first full season of Saturday league cricket on grass wickets and special thanks were given to Ian Shed Springer and Rich Fagence for all their continuous hard work.

The Dorchester and District Evening League also presented the club with the Sportsmanlike Team of the Year award.

Another club first was to turn out three youth teams in the West Dorset District Youth Leagues and to have players representing the District at various ages.

Charlton continues to invest in youth cricket and the club always welcome new young players and would encourage parents and players to get in touch.

Club spokesman Tommy Tucker said: “The club is looking to encourage new players especially those who may have not played for a few years or even since school, college or university and may be looking for a way back into cricket.

“We have teams for all standards of players, young and old. Indoor coaching and practice starts in mid-February so get in touch to find out dates and venue.”

n Contact via charltondown.play-cricket.com, the website, facebook, email, or telephone Tommy Tucker on 07810 275847 or 01305 268172 or tommy.tucker501@btinternet.com or peter.tucker@charlton downcc.co.uk