Sevenhampton-based United Churches Cricket Club celebrated taking three League awards at their End of Season Dinner on Saturday 9 November.

Bilal Hussain took home Division One’s best bowling award and his performance included a five wicket haul, conceding just two runs in an eight over spell at South Cerney and finishing the season with 31 wickets at an average of 11.03.

As well as taking Division One Runners up trophy in the CDCA Division One, Churches won the League Best Sportsmanship Award – which is based on a system of points awarded after each match by the opposition captain.

“This was a particularly pleasurable award for the club to receive," said Churches Secretary, David Martin.

"The club was founded just over a hundred years ago by the churches of Swindon who wished to engage and provide a resource for the communities around them.

"It would warm the hearts of those founders to know that the club was still managing to maintain some of the sporting values they held dear."

Club awards were also presented to Chris Gilchrist, normally, due to parental duties, only able to play alternate weeks but still scored 552 runs at an average of 46 - including two centuries.

Club captain James Mann presenting Bilal Hussain with Best League Bowling AwardClub captain James Mann presenting Bilal Hussain with Best League Bowling Award (Image: Mark Defty)

'Gilly' also scored the highest number of runs in all divisions of The Swindon Evening League.

Awards also went to Martin Garstang for 15 dismissals behind the stumps; most improved player, Dan Blagg for his batting performances; son, Toby, for providing the seasons champagne moment, Matt Defty for youngster of the year and Gilchrist, who won the Captain’s Award for his dedicated and effective work on the ground.

This was Churches first season playing in The Cotswold League, having formerly played for 35 years in The Wiltshire County League.

“It has been a great pleasure to visit the Cotswold Grounds, as it has been for many years in Wiltshire, playing some most enjoyable cricket.

“We would also like to thank our sponsor, Verelogic, the Swindon IT company for their support over a two year period and James Hill for continued use of the Sevenhampton ground,” said Club Captain James Mann.