BRISTOL Phoenix Cricket Club held a review for 2016 at the Chipping Sodbury CC Clubhouse where awards were also given.

In his address, chairman Dave Marshall congratulated the first XI for winning the ECB South West Premier League and the Development XI for the same in the GCB Women’s League.

He reflected on good team performances and highlighted individual performances batting from Abby Evans (165 not out), Naomi Forecast (107) and Laura Marshall, and, with the ball, Dani Gibson and Alice Hill as well as the captaincy of Hannah Thompson for the development team.

The evening saw the retirement of club stalwart Mike Collett.

Dave reviewed what was a mixed, but ultimately highly successful, season.

At the start, it was clear that the club would not be able to fulfil the intentions in the Bristol and District Youth League for the under 13s and 15s due to lack of numbers. However, the junior section has seen promising growth with an increasing number of under 12 age players and a few older than that, with coaching in the winter and throughout the summer and playing in a number of tournaments and friendlies.

There was a far more positive picture in the senior section with a large squad making it possible to run two teams, the first XI in the ECB South West Premier League and the Development team in the GCB Women’s League.

Echoing comments from development team manager John Harris, this was an opportunity to gel younger an less experienced players with those from the first XI looking to work on different aspects of their game.

Captain Hannah Thompson relished the opportunity, flourishing in the role.

The result was an almost faultless passage to the league title. Most notable performances coming from Laura Marshall leading from the front and retiring several times after reaching half centuries.

Phoenix is the only team in the league to do this and it stopped Laura being the top batter in the league.

First team captain Charlie Walker, in her final year with Phoenix after many years of fantastic service, summarised a year that saw Phoenix triumph gaining the league title.

There were some fine performances especially from Abby Evans, gaining her highest ever score of 165m and Naomi Forecast, completing her maiden century, with the bat and Dani Gibson and Alice Hill with the ball, but overall a great team effort.

Dave completed his review by thanking Chipping Sodbury for continued support of Bristol Phoenix this year that saw two of the first team playing regularly and frequently for Sodbury teams, and the use of the grounds, thanks to the ground staff, and facilities.

He also thanked the committee members, players, parents, partners who continually support the club.

The evening saw the retirement of Mike Collett from the club. It was Mike, with a couple of others, that established Bristol Phoenix eight years ago and he has been their driving force ever since.