SWANAGE CC cleaned up at the 2023 Dorset Cricket Board awards evening, coming away the most successful club on the night.

Swans won six awards, including a gong for president Ron Barker, to recognise his work as a volunteer over many years.

The club’s chairman, Craig Wells, picked up an award on behalf of his groundstaff team for their preparation of pitches at Day’s Park.

Peter Constable won a ‘growing the game’ award, while Sam Marks was rewarded for ‘connecting the community’, regarding his work on diversity and inclusion.

In terms of on-the-pitch awards, Simon Goldsack, one of the club’s county over-50s players, was acknowledged for his bowling displays.

Meanwhile, second XI captain Mike Nash won the batting award for being the leading run-scorer in Division Four, with 650 runs at an average of 82.

At the AGM, Swanage also received confirmation their first XI will be playing in the second tier next season, Premier (2).

The second XI stay in Division Four, the third XI in Division Five, while the newly-formed fourths will compete in Division Six.

The club will also enter five youth teams, for children aged 7-15, into leagues next summer, as well as the women’s and girls team.