With their seventh consecutive victory, Stratford’s 3rd XI, the Bards, clinched promotion last week in the final fixture of the season. The Bards started the day joint level on points with Henley-in-Arden, but outside the promotion places due to an inferior net run rate.

John Paton’s team beat Great Alne at home, restricting the visitors to 171-5, before knocking off the runs for the loss of just one wicket, with an unbeaten century for Adam Clegg. Meanwhile, Henley bowled out Earlswood for just 122 – a total they reached 7 wickets down, but the small target meant fewer batting points, which ultimately made the difference as the Bards leapfrogged them in the table.

Congratulations to all players involved. Many thanks to John Paton for his work captaining the team, and also to Brian Webb and others involved in preparing and maintaining the Alscot Park wicket and ground.

Read on for final table plus batting/bowling statistics.

Cotswold Hills Division 5 – Final Table

# Club Played Won Points
1 Leamington IV 18 14 317
2 Stratford Bards 18 13 284
3 Henley in Arden II 18 13 281
4 Welford on Avon 18 11 278
5 Ashton under Hill II 18 8 206
6 Great Alne 18 7 206
7 Winchcombe II 18 7 203
8 Earlswood III 18 5 182
9 Rowington II 18 4 156
10 Claverdon 18 3 96

2015 top wicket takers

# Bowler Wickets Average Best Bowling
1 John Paton (c) 23 13.39 5/27
2 James Paton 21 24.33 4/15
3 Thadius Kaminski-Gaze 19 22.53 4/33
4 Daniel Paton 13 30.38 2/13
5 George Dick 10 12.20 3/24

2015 highest run scorers

# Batsman Runs Average 50/100 High Score
1 Ed Cunynghame 383 95.79 1/2 137
2 Francis Jeavons 201 33.50 0/1 100
3 James Paton 184 16.73 0/0 41*
4 Martin Malone 171 17.10 0/0 42
5 Adam Clegg 153 77.00 0/1 112*