Kings Stanley Cricket Club have been playing in a league of their own this season.

With three games to go in Division Seven of the Gloucestershire County League, they lead the way by a massive 70 points and such has been their domination that the remaining nine teams are separated by just 72 points.

They beat Hatherley and Reddings 3rds, who were their closest challengers, by 114 runs on Saturday and skipper Jamie Bish said: “We celebrated that night, that’s back-to-back titles for us.”

This year’s excellent run of form – they’ve won all 10 of their league games – follows on from last season’s Stroud and District Premier League title success.

That was Bish’s first season as captain and the top-order batsman is looking for the club to continue to move forwards in the coming seasons.

“I thought we’d come first or second this season, we’ve got a really strong side,” he said. “I would like to think we can win promotion again next season.”

The club have been helped along the way by a couple of Gloucester rugby players – one past and one present – in Martyn Kimber and Jack Clement, who have made some telling contributions.

Kimber, now 54, was a fly-half for Gloucester back in the 1990s and Bish said: “He’s an all-rounder, he’s a very elegant left-handed batsman and bowls right-arm spin.”

Clement, meanwhile, is a flanker and the 22-year-old also happens to be Bish’s nephew.

“He’s a top cricketer,” said Bish. “He’s had five knocks for us and made three 50s and a 100. He’s averaging 120.”

Overseas player James Weir is another who has enjoyed a fine season.

“He’s from Tasmania, he bats and bowls,” continued Bish. “He’s a pace bowler, he’s been with us a couple of seasons but he’s going back home early next year.”

He’ll be missed, not least because he helps with the club’s youngsters.

“We’ve got a thriving youth set-up,” confirmed Bish, who has been playing for the club since 2017. “We do the All Stars and the Dynamos.”

They are also planning to re-establish a 2^nd XI next season with the expectation that the team will play in Division Two of the Stroud League.

The club are clearly in a very good place at the moment and the next aim will be to go through the league campaign unbeaten. They host Eldersfield on Saturday.