A PREMIERSHIP title might have evaded Bathurst cricketer Ben Trevor-Jones on Sunday, but his maiden season in the Nottinghamshire Premier League was certainly a success.
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The Bathurst District Cricket Association graduate spent his second season in England playing for Papplewick and Linby, having made the switch after 17 games in the Middlesex Premier League the previous summer.
With the Notts Premier League rated 'the highest level of recreational cricket in the county' it was a challenge for Trevor-Jones, but the top-order batsman-wicketkeeper impressed for his new club.
He helped them all the way to the grand final of the Dan Sutton Trophy against Carrington Cavaliers and while falling 44 runs short of glory, Trevor-Jones was still satisfied with the overall campaign
"Great season overall for the club. The feeling was that we overachieved as a club this season and it was a fantastic effort to make the grand final," he said.
"Carrington Cavaliers were definitely the best side we had played, so there's no shame losing to them.
"Losing the toss hurt us as I don't think we've lost a game this season when we've batted first and set a target."
Trevor-Jones finished the regular season as the highest run-scorer in the Northern Division of the competition, belting 356 runs across 10 games at an average of 52.14. His top score was a 66.
Then in Saturday's Dan Sutton Trophy semi-final against Radcliffe-on-Trent the Bathurst product again shone with the bat.
After his side won the toss and elected to bat, number three Trevor-Jones arrived at the crease at 1-23.
He then set about top scoring for his side, cracking 84 runs of 93 balls. His aggressive 90.32 strike rate was assisted by eight boundaries and a six.
It helped Papplewick and Linby to a total of 6-234 off its 40 overs, Trevor-Jones' side then dismissed their rivals for 127 in the space of 27.1 overs. The 107-run win booked their place in the grand final.
"It was great to contribute in the semi-final win. Our top order all fired that day so it allowed me to just settle in and play my game," he said. "Disappointing not to be able to back it up on Sunday though."
In Sunday's decider the Bathurst product scored 11 off 26 deliveries. His side was all out for 168 in pursuit of 213 for victory.
