HUCKNALL BAPTISTS CRICKET CLUB, who were formed back in 1983, have landed their first honour in the Nottingham Evening League.

Baptists were crowned champions of the league's highest division (One) after a 106-run victory over Trent Bridge.

And the success is sure to add extra flavour to the silver jubilee party the club have planned for the weekend of August 29 to 31.

A celebration dinner at The Park Inn hotel on Mansfield Road, Nottingham, complete with entertainment from comedian/magician John Archer, is to be held on the Friday night.

And then, on the Sunday, at the New Gatehouse Ground on Hayden Lane, home of Hucknall CC, an anniversary match between a Baptists XI and a Trent FM XI will be played.

Baptists clinched the title with a superb display of batting, inspired by two players who ply their trade at weekends with Papplewick and Linby in the Notts Premier League.

Sri Lankan Kosela Kulasekara cracked 86 and Jim Rhodes 59 as the locals swept to 176 for six in their allotted 12 eight-ball overs. One Trent Bridge bowler leaked 47 runs in two overs!

Such a huge total was too much for the visitors, who slumped to 70 all out, despite 41 from opener McDermott. No fewer than seven players failed to score.

For Baptists, Rhodes took three for nine in three overs and Phil Rostance one for 28 in two. But there was no doubt who the star bowler was – Irfanuddin, who plays for Newstead Abbey in Division A of the Gunn And Moore South Notts League.

The little Pakistani off-spinner sent down only three overs but took SIX wickets for only one run!