SWINDON United Churches Cricket Club dedicated their annual dinner and awards presentation to retiring president Peter Eastwood. Eastwood is set to retire to Hampshire and is succeeded as president by Reverend Simon Stevenette, the vicar of Christchurch and chaplain to Swindon Town, and the club made sure to give him a suitable send-off.

Winners on the night included Adam Tooze, who picked up the most league wickets for the club last season - 33 in total at an average of 7.39.

Club secretary David Martin said of Tooze’s achievement: “This was a particularly notable achievement as Adam had missed the first quarter of the season completing his degree course at the University of Plymouth.”

Other awards were presented to Dan Hunt for a season’s total of 705 runs in half-day games, to Chris Gilchrist for 473 runs in the Wiltshire League and to James Mann for eight outfield catches. Daniel Leslie took the catch of the year award and Martin Garstang an award for best first season in organised Cricket. Liam Brooks and Keith Coatsworth jointly took the captain’s award for commitment both on and off the field.

United Churches are now back in pre-season training and are always on the look-out for new players.

Martin said: “We have enjoyed considerable success in the past but job locations have recently taken some players away from the area whilst, for others, increased family and work commitments have lessened their availability and hastened retirements. “We have opportunities for new members who wish to play competitive cricket in a good spirit in the attractive surroundings we offer.”

The club is based in Sevenhampton and any parties interested in joining should contact Martin on 01793 770717.