Church 2nd XI completed an unprecedented league and cup double by securing the league championship with yet another comprehensive victory at home to East Lancs on Sunday.
Requiring nine points from the remaining two games, Joel Gaskill’s men collected all 12 points and avoided any final day tension to become the first senior team in the club’s history to complete the double following victory in the cup final over Bacup earlier in the season.
It was a typically efficient performance from a side that has grown in confidence throughout the season.
Despite finding themselves in the nervous position of 100-5 midway through their innings, a match winning partnership of 110 between Mohammed Jamil and Steven Berko proved to be decisive as Church posted a total of over 250.
East Lancs were then bowled out cheaply to secure Church the title for the first time since 1991.
Although there have been many consistent performers throughout the season, strength in depth has been the key to Church’s consistency – as a strong squad of players has enabled the team to grind out positive results despite the absence of key personnel.
Phil Sykes has also been instrumental in the team’s success.
Former first team skipper Sykes has more than 10,000 1st Xl Lancashire League runs to his name and a wealth of knowledge and experience both as a player and captain. His addition has been a key factor in Church’s 25 victories from a possible 28 in all competitions this campaign. In fact they only started suffering defeats when some players moved up to the first team to cover for holidays and absences.
Meanwhile Enfield’s 3rd XI are also close to clinching a trophy this weekend. They need one point from tomorrow’s home game against second placed Haslingden to win their third XI league.
