Cropston celebrate after completing escape from Premier Division relegation

CROPSTON cricketers are celebrating after avoiding relegation from the Everards Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket League’s Premier Division.

Under the captaincy of Steven Punchard, the main aim of the season was not to be relegated after winning promotion to the top flight for the first time since 1999.

With five games left to play relegation looked on the cards, then a remarkable run of four wins on the trot lifted them away from the foot of the table to possible safety.

For the final fixture of the season Cropston paid host to Kibworth and were above relegation rivals Lutterworth by eight points who faced league champions Rothley.

As it turned out both Cropston and Lutterworth lost, but both picked up maximum batting points, saw Cropston avoided relegation by eight points.

Cropston’s 2nd XI, captained by evergreen veteran Allen Robinson, finished a creditable 5th in Division 5 West winning 10 of their 22 fixtures with three being abandoned. During the season Robinson blooded several juniors from the under 15 and under 13 teams which bodes well for next season.

Cropston’s junior section managed by Dave Jones, Rhys Dickerson and Dave York had a fantastic season with the Under 13s winning their league unbeaten and beating Kibworth away from home in the final to become county champions. Four of this team now play for the county at their age level, Josh Fitzpatrick being captain, as well as the Leicester Mercury junior sportsman of the year.

Another season finished and things looking up for Cropston for next season and the club’s 100 year centenary.