MARLBOROUGH chairman Simon Wells labelled 2013 as the club’s most successful ever campaign after double title triumphs on the final weekend of the season.

The Savernake Forest outfit’s second team lifted the Wadworth 6X West of England Premier League’s Wiltshire (2nd XI) Division title with a six-wicket triumph at closest rivals Lechlade.

The third string also tasted title success, winning Wiltshire League Division Eight after a 25-run success over Chippenham 4th.

Despite defeat by 112 runs to champions Swindon in their last West of England League Wiltshire Division match, Marlborough’s first team also enjoyed a promising summer, finishing third.

Wells said: “This has been the most successful season in the club’s history and the result of a real team effort throughout the club.

“The narrow margins by which the seconds and thirds won their divisions, coupled with the first team never being outside the top three in a very competitive league, are testament to the hard work, ability and determination of all the players.

“We will certainly enjoy this season but the planning and hard work for next season and beyond has already started.

A 138-run partnership between Tom Palmer (82 off 77 balls) and Duncan Lorrain (76 off 60) helped the second string chase down Lechlade 2nd’s 235-8, in which Fraser Gordon took 4-55 to finish in the top 10 wicket takers in the league in 2013.

Lorrain hit the winning boundary with two overs to spare and skipper Nick Down said: “It’s been a massive achievement for a young side to come and win the title on the last day of the season.

“With four of our five bowlers being U18 and all products of our academy, it shows we are heading in the right direction.’’

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