DARTMOUTH Amateur Football Club claimed the Steve Allen Dartmouth T20 cricket cup and champagne for the second year running after beating the Ship in Dock.

The final, played at Coronation Park last Sunday, was the culmination of another successful T20 cricket season held by the Dartmouth and District Cricket Club.

It rounded off proceedings on a fun community day, which involved two semi-finals being played. The finals day was the brainchild of T20 fixtures secretary Darren Goss.

It was fought out between the top four teams in the league, which has taken place over the last four months.

Leading the league by a whisker were Dartmouth Football Club, who were drawn to play a much-improved Seale Arms' side, who finished fourth, in the first semi.

The Seale Arms won the toss and fielded first.

S Weeks (14), G. Knott (19) and D Griffiths (20) all made good scores to boost the DAFC campaign, reaching 112 for 9 after the 20-over innings.

The Seale Arms' innings was slow to start, gaining only 10 runs off the first five overs. L Boyd (28 not out) and F Prettyjohns (14) had a pocket collection of big fours between them, while V Bowden (23) did his bit with quick singles to keep on top of things.

The Seales were at 72 for 2 with five overs remaining, but tail-end bowlers P Pope, S Holmes and part-time wicket keeper D Goss kept their nerve to hold off the Seales with a 20-run win.

During a short break, club vice chairman and groundsman Jim Brent was able to roll another wicket with an industrial roller on lone this season from David Britton from Dittisham Recycling.

The stage was set for the second semi with the arrival of PA equipment with DJ Richard Baker and club commentator for the day, DA player Dan Jackson.

Birssy's/Dolphin captain Frank Nevens won the toss and opted the bat first. The Birssy's/Dolphin openers took to the field. N Shillabeer (5) and D Martin (21) found it difficult to break through the alert Ship in Dock side to find boundaries, with the score at 34 after 10 overs.

The Ship in Dock batsmen required seven runs an over to be in with a chance of reaching a place in the final.

SID opener Alex (2) was quick to go, whereas D Lobb did brilliantly with 30 not out to keep the game on balance.

Harry Moores (27 n/o) was dropped by a B/D fielder, and costly mistakes like this from Birssys/Dolphin would eventually lead to their downfall. Taj Player Shuman did well with 23 before being run out, leaving the important task to new grandfather C Moseley (3 n/o) and D Sharam (0).

The Ship in Dock required one run off the last ball to claim their place in the final.

Unfazed, Moseley swept a shot leg side and made a made dash for the tennis court end, winning the game for the Ship, in what became arguably the best game of the season.

The final began at 5pm. DAFC won the toss and opted to field. Opener A Scott (18) started off well with two big sixes, but it took some great fielding catches by I Carter and S weekes to get the attack back on track.

With the score at only 60, the SID were five wickets gone.

But it was the turn of the middle and bottom enders to save the innings and give them a chance in the second half.

During the final period of play, the football club required five runs an over to keep up the pace.

They made a flying start, with S Holmes (11) D Goss (15) S Weeks (16) and G Knott (25 n/o) all contributing well.

A great bowling partnership between Taj player Shuman and Rubel sent most of the others back to the pavilion, but after only 13 overs DAFC had reached their target and once again claimed the Steve Allen Dartmouth T20 cricket cup and champagne.

A short presentation was held, with club secretary Pauline Hook presenting I Carter with man of the match; chairman Jon Pope presenting player of the year to Taj Player Siaf (PO); most memorable achievement trophy to Lawrence Shields (DA) for his big hitting six while playing for Dart 1st XI v BRNC; the moost improved player went to The Seales' team as a whole for their fantastic improvement this season.

The Dartmouth and District Cricket Club commitee wish to thank all the match officials and umpires that have helped throughout the year, particularly Brian Harris, who won the umpire of the year fair play award; the Taj Mahal for sponsorship of the finals day match balls, and man-of-the-match awards presented each game; Mr J Brent for his fantastic efforts with the oval wicket during the last year and sponsorship of finals day; Browney's outdoor cafe for finals day sponsorship and keeping the players and spectators well watered and fed during the past season; the George and Dragon for kindly lending the club their large entertainments gazebo; South Hams Council for use of the beautiful green park; and Antigua Joe for some excellent, after-match entertainment.

The cricket has not stopped for the Dartmouth club, either, with the 1st XI travelling to Stoke Fleming and the Chairman's XI visiting Malborough on September 4.

A week later the Taj Mahal Invitation XI will play a Dart XI at 2pm. The Dolphin XI will host a visiting pub team from the Jolly Farmer, Newton Abbot, during the morning.

AGM details will follow after next weekend's regatta and are to be posted on team noticeboards and at Browney's outdoor cafe.