Minch visited Whitminster with the league title all but secured and able to enjoy their last game of a fine cricket season.

Skipper Pete Wallis lost the toss and was asked to bowl on a very firm batting wicket. Instantly, Minch knew it would be hard work, the pitch offered little movement for bowlers Wallis and Priest. Whitminster openers Toms and Helliwell saw off the pacey Minch pair, but part of Minch’s success has been the depth of their bowling as 2nd and 3rd change often support the opening bowlers well. This was the case again as veteran John Turton was as miserly as ever and Jaime Waring managed to extract a bit of movement out of the ball to tie Whitminster down. A sharp slip catch from Rich Scott removed Helliwell and after 3 maidens in a row from Waring, Toms nicked one behind to Dave Cruickshank for 19. Waring then removed Cook clean bowled for a duck and Minch piled on the pressure. The dangerous Pars Ghadali looked fluent at the crease, but Minch turned to Simon Penn for his 1st league bowl and he produced a snorting delivery that Ghadali fended off to gully and another catch to Scott, leading to a big celebration from Penn. Young Marcus Cole also bowled well and had a much deserved wicket, Rich Scott picking up his 3rd catch at slip. When opener Wallis returned he moped up the tail with 3 quick wickets, Priest also returning to pick up a wicket as Whitminster reached just 113 all out, an excellent bowling performance from Minch.
In reply Minch got off to a bad start as Rich Scott fell for 1 LBW to Owens. Alex Waring and Ross Britton steadied the ship and added 40 for the 2nd wicket, Britton then fell for 16 caught at gully after a promising start and some fine straight drives. Waring pushed on and looked in very good form, anything loose getting dispatched to the boundary. But when Pete Raphael fell for a duck, again LBW, there was a bit of pressure on Minch at 54 for 3. But Jaime Waring (14no) entered the crease and the Waring brothers steadied the ship, adding 54 for the 4th wicket, mostly from elder brother Alex who hit a very fine 66 in the last game of the season. Alex however fell with just 4 runs needed, leaving James Priest to come in a blast a huge six over long on to win the game for Minch and the league in fitting fashion. A fine season comes to and end as Minch 1st XI now hopefully embark on life in the county league. With just 2 defeats all season and unbeaten home record that now spans 3 seasons, Minch 1st team can celebrate a very good league season crowned as SDCA Premier League Champions.

Minchinhampton Cricket Club would like to thank their sponsors JCo Kitchens and Red Recruitment for their continued support. Minch would also like to dedicate the promotion of both teams to Tony Smith, the longtime Minch stalwart who sadly passed away this week.