Borstal cinched the Kent Village Cricket League Division 1 title for the first time this season and unveiled a bench in memory of one a club legend.

Their Division 1 season came to a close with a win over Wingham, but it was their victory the week before at home to Willesborough that clinched them the silverware.

That title-winning victory came as the club unveiled the bench that now sits in memory of long-time member Chris Davies, who sadly passed away earlier this year.

Mr Davies was a player, captain then more recently groundsman and umpire of the Sunday side.

Club secretary Andrew Moore said: “It was fitting that the club secured the title on the day his bench was unveiled.

“Chris was a stalwart of the club for many years and it was really sad to lose him - so we clubbed together to get the money to make a memorial for him at the ground.

“It arrived about a week before the game and it was a great opportunity to unveil it on the day.

“It is a really good time for us at the moment. We have invested a lot of money in the nets and just trying to push the club forward. We have been knocking on the door for a few years now, finishing third and then fourth in the league, up there and abouts and it was great to get it over the line.”

A 39-run victory over Willesborough clinched the title with a game to spare, Sama Armani taking the final wicket, a player who has been developed from the Colts section since joining the club as a youngster.

Winning the title at home meant that the likes of chairman Dave Tingley, in his 80s, was there to see it.

Mr Tingley’s son plays for the team and his grandson is the captain.

Borstal completed the Kent Village League season with a two-wicket win over Wingham.

They’re a club that are looking to continually improve and have recently made a big investment with a new two-lane net system which was completed in August.

The investment is not only for the club’s adult men’s sides but vital to continue the growth of their ladies’ team and youth sections.

“It is exciting times at the club,” Moore added. “We bring our own players through, we don’t have the budget to bring in superstars, signing them from higher up.

“We are a team, people chip in from different areas and it is a really tight-knit unit.”