Sheppey Cricket Club secured the Kent Regional League 1B Central title on Saturday without having to break into a sweat.

High Halstow 3rds handed Sheppey a walkover – their second in successive weeks – because they were unable to field a side and the 20 points the Islanders picked up means Paul Martin’s men cannot be caught.

It also means Sheppey have bounced straight back after being relegated from Division 1A Central last season.

A delighted Martin said: "Although it’s been slightly disappointing to have missed a number of games through walkovers and bad weather, the cricket that we have played has been good and I believe we are now reaping the rewards of the junior cricket programme, which we first brought in 10 years ago.

"We have also won the midweek Twenty20 League at Upchurch and, apart from myself and a couple of others, it’s basically a fairly young side made up of lads who have come through the junior section."

The game is likely to be Martin’s last as skipper, at least for a year or so.

He said: "I will probably have to stand down as captain for next season because I have got a baby on the way, so winning the league is a nice way for me to bow out."