THE Forest of Dean Midweek Cricket League has been voted a big success and looks certain to become even stronger.

The league has replaced the 80 year-old Forest of Dean knock-out competition and in only a couple of years has become a firm favourite with clubs and players.

League chairman Dave Kent explained: "It was decided we wanted a change to the format. The old knock-out competition meant that some clubs only ever played just one game and for years Lydney were the only winners.

"The league format gives every club an opportunity. We started last year with three divisions but because of some of the travelling involved that did not quite work out. Now we have two divisions – western and eastern – and it has been very successful," he said.

The Western Division sides are Shirenewton, Monmouth, St John's, Tutshill; Alvington, Clearwell and St Briavels. In the Eastern Division the teams are Cinderford St Johns, Lydney Colts, Ruardean Hill, Bream, Parkend, Newent and Speech House.

League champions were Clearwell and Cinderford St Johns.

Teams representing both divisions met in a challenge match at Lydney last week with the Eastern team claiming a narrow win.

West batted first, hitting 81 for eight with Monmouth's Gordon Gray top scoring with 28. Doug Hondo, Lydney, produced an excellent bowling performance taking three for seven.

In reply Hondo was again in the action and scored 16 in the East's winning total of 83 for seven. The top bowlers were Brett Freeman (St John's, Tutshill) and Mark Meakin (Alvington) who both took two wickets for 19 runs.

Man-of-the-Match awards were judged by Gordon Blake and awarded to Doug Hondo and Mark Meakin.