PICKING a settled team has been the recipe for Luctonians’ first GB Liners Marches League title triumph since 2011, according to skipper James Platford.

Luctonians were able to choose from squad of “13 or 14 players” throughout the season which helped towards their Division One triumph.

Platford, who plundered more than 660 runs, paid tribute to fellow batsman Hamish Light and bowler Imalka Kankanamalage for Luctonians' s deserved success.

“We have done very well this summer and I believe it has been down to being able to pick from the same 13 or 14 players each week,” said Platford, whose dad Duncan has also had a good campaign with the bat.

“We have had a consistent line-up and that has been very important in getting our hands on the league title.

“We nearly came unstuck against Canon Frome when we were bowled out for about 120 but we overcame that blip and dismissed them for less than 100."

He added: “We have been knocking on the door for the past four or five years and it’s nice to have finally broken through and won the title again.”

Top-order batsman Light has struck more than 680 runs this summer, including an outstanding 152, while Kankanamalage has taken the plaudits with the ball, snapping up more than 30 wickets.

It is the fourth time Luctonians have won the Division One crown since the Marches League was formed in 1992.

Luctonians also had a spell playing in the Worcestershire County League but Platford says the club doesn’t have any plans to make a return.

“I don’t think we will go back to the Worcestershire League,” said Platford, whose grandmother Dorothy scores the book.

“We have been in the Worcestershire League and worn the t-shirt.

“While the Worcestershire League is a very good standard, the travelling can put a strain on your second team and we are very happy playing our cricket in the Marches."

MARCHES LEAGUE DIVISION ONE ROLL OF HONOUR: 1992: Burghill; 1993: LUCTONIANS; 1994: Builth Wells; 1995: Garnons; 1996: Talgarth; 1997: Talgarth; 1998: Eastnor; 1999: Garnons; 2000: Garnons; 2001: Canon Frome; 2002: Goodrich; 2003: Monmouth; 2004: Monmouth; 2005: Monmouth; 2006: Goodrich; 2007: Garnons; 2008: LUCTONIANS; 2009: Garnons; 2010: Garnons;2011: LUCTONIANS; 2012: Garnons; 2013: Garnons; 2014: Garnons; 2015: Goodrich; 2016: LUCTONIANS.