It's not all quiet on the Weston front (From Gazette Series)

It's not all quiet on the Weston front

THE 2004 cricket season may have ended, but at Gloucestershire CCC the awards and accolades have been flowing as the club celebrates another successful campaign.

Phil Weston, the gung-ho opening batsman, last week took his place among the club's most celebrated players of recent years by winning a special award that commemorates the kind of cricketing moment that is purely unforgettable.

The Thule Champagne Moment Award for the 2004 season is intended to signify a key moment in the season for Gloucestershire, and Weston's heroic unbeaten century in the C&G Trophy final was deemed as the clear winner, with Weston inspiring his side to yet another piece of one-day silverware.

Indeed, Gloucestershire won their sixth Lord's final in as many years as they brushed Worcestershire aside by eight wickets in the final in August.

Weston overshadowed Vikram Solanki's ton for Worcestershire with an unbeaten 110 as Gloucestershire chased 237 with 37 balls left.

It was a hugely dramatic scenario, and one that made Gloucestershire's season, ensuring that the side would not go through the year empty-handed in terms of trophies.

In the end, Weston and Craig Spearman (70) put on 141 for the first wicket to set up a repeat of last year's win over Worcestershire that retained the trophy. Weston, against his former team, and fellow opener Spearman propelled Gloucestershire to 51-0 after nine overs. Weston then raced to his century off 125 balls with 12 fours and a six, eventually seeing Gloucestershire home with Chris Taylor for a richly deserved win.

Peter Barker, the marketing manager at club sponsors Thule, paid tribute to the remarkable innings at the recent awards ceremony and said: "Gloucestershire have played fantastically this year. The game against Worcestershire, with Phil's match-winning innings, was a great end to a brilliant season."

Meanwhile, Gloucestershire have announced that their beneficiary for 2005 will be Tim Hancock.

Hancock, 32, first played for the county in 1991 and was awarded his county cap in 1998. In his career, he has scored 8,344 first class runs and 4145 one-day runs as well as taking 46 first class wickets and 47 one-day wickets.

The club's chief executive Tom Richardson said: "Tim Hancock, in many ways, has been a model professional. He is dedicated, loyal and works extremely hard on his game. We wish him every success in his benefit year."

A delighted Hancock added: "I am very pleased to have been given a benefit, it is a great honour and I look forward to combining it with another successful season with Gloucestershire next year."