DORCHESTER Cricket Club celebrated an improved season in the Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League with their annual presentation evening at the Rec.

After securing a fourth-placed finish in 2017, Dorchester were long in the title hunt in 2018, winning their opening six games before losses at Wimborne & Colehill and Stalbridge cost the county town side.

James Dunham’s men eventually finished third behind eventual champions Wimborne and runners-up Poole.

Meanwhile, Dorchester Seconds claimed fourth spot in County Division Three as Shaftesbury and Puddletown romped to successive promotions.

In the Read Woodruff Dorchester & District Evening League, the club fielded two sides and saw Dorchester Casuals take Division Three glory.

Meanwhile, the Dorchester Colts, comprised solely of youth players, won two of 12 games eventually propping up the same division.

At the awards evening, captain Dunham and Dave Trotter won first-team and second-team bowlers of the year respectively.

New signing Eral Anderson and Pete Diffey won the respective first-team and second-team batsmen of the year. There were also two honorary lifetime membership awards as Dave Joslin and Tony Foot were recognised.

Dave Caines was named clubman of the year, while scorer Andrew Harris was given recognition for his efforts during the season.