THAME Town and Cropredy were the big winners when the Cherwell League held their annual dinner and presentation night at Oxford’s Kassam Stadium, writes MICHAEL KNOX.

The main prize went to Thame, who received the Division 1 championship from Jason Gillespie, the former Australian fast bowler, who now coaches Yorkshire.

Gillespie was assisted in the presentations by successful Yorkshire seamer Jack Brooks, who started his career with Cherwell League club Tiddington.

Skipper Mike Higgs accepted the award for Thame, who are promoted back to the Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League, three years after being relegated.

The biggest gathering in the attendance of 180, came from Cropredy, who not only collected the Division 3 and and 7 crowns, but also the Peter Baker Trophy.

This cup, named in memory of the late BBC Radio Oxford presenter, goes to the club with the highest league points total from their top teams.

After receiving the award, Cropredy chairman Peter Cooling said their success had been due to several former members returning to play, and some excellent recruits.

Chief amongst these was seamer Jacob Heath, who joined from village club Ifield, and turned out to be the league’s leading wicket-taker with 68.

He received the 1st bowling prize, while Paul Butcher (Abingdon Vale 2nd) and Simon Priscott (Great & Little 3rd) took the lower division awards.

Great Brickhill’s Mark Nelson and Patrick Prasad took the respective 1st & 2nd batting awards, with Horspath’s Carl Thompson taking the 3rd & 4th XI award.

The umpires award went to Chris Bishop.

After the presentations, Gillespie gave an entertaining talk about his career and criticised the selection of the “Dad’s Army” Australian side who lost the Ashes series to England last summer.

ROLL OF HONOUR

League champions Div 1: Thame Town. Div 2: Aston Rowant 2nd. Div 3: Cropredy. Div 4: Great Brickhill 2nd. Div 5: East Oxford. Div 6: Banbury 4th. Div 7: Cropredy 2nd. Div 8: Aston Rowant 4th. Div 9 League: Great & Little Tew 4th; Cup: Oxford & Bletchingdon 3rd.

Peter Baker Trophy (total league points for top teams): Cropredy.

Individual awards 1st XI Batting: M Nelson (Great Brickhill) 778 runs. Bowling: J Heath (Cropredy) 68 wickets.

2nd XI Batting: P Prasad (Great Brickhill) 716 runs. Bowling: P Butcher (Abingdon Vale) 51 wickets.

3rd & 4th XI Batting: C Thompson (Horspath 4th) 486 runs. Bowling: S Priscott (Great & Little Tew 4th) 45 wickets.

Umpire: C Bishop.