MORE than 40 members and partners of Lyme Regis Cricket Club enjoyed a dinner at the town's golf club to celebrate the achievements of a successful season.

The first team won promotion as champions from the Devon E Division with captain Ashley Caddy topping the league batting averages.

The second XI finished mid-table in D Division but introduced a number of young players to the club all of whom contributed to some excellent games.

Club chairman Steve Howe compared the events and asked sponsor Justin Tunstall, the town’s cheesemonger to help present the trophies.

Tunstall’s sponsorship involves the winning of a cheese for the first home cricketer who hits a six at each home match.

Steve Batey was the most successful six-hitter and received a trophy and a Mongoose cricket bat.

The cries of ‘cheese’ that go up when the ball sails over the boundary will now be heard at Edgbaston, home ground of Warwickshire, as Justin has negotiated a similar arrangement with the county side.

Batey also won the first-team player of the season award, scoring 471 runs, taking 32 wickets and nine catches with his brother Mark, picking up the captain’s award and the fielding award for some much improved wicketkeeping.

The second-team player of the season trophy was awarded jointly to Eddie Clarke (326 runs) and Wall-ace Blackmore (14 wickets), while the captain’s award went to youngster Wesley Holmes, who bowled consistently well and picked up some vital wickets in the second half of the season.

The young player of the season award was voted on by club members and was presented to four players who each received the same number of votes, reflecting the wealth of potential talent that is now available.

The recipients were Henry Perry, Alfie Bellworthy, Tyler Wellman and Rhys Davies. The most improved player of the season award went to Rodney Holmes.

A stalwart of the club in the past, Holmes returned to first-team duties this year and captured 23 wickets while averaging 45 runs with the bat.

The Sunday friendly skipper Jerry Sims made reference to the fine spirit in which the game is played and made his award to youngster, Alfie Bellworthy for his all-round contribution in friendly matches.

Chairman Steve Howe rounded off the evening by presenting the Clubman of the Year award to groundsman, scorer, and bar steward, Jon Hunt, noting the time and effort that Jon puts in so that other members of the club can enjoy their cricket and thanking him for all his hard work.

Howe also went on to thank David Jones who kept the outfield immaculate and Christine Matthews and Melody Holmes for their work making teas and washing up the pots while also serving at the bar.