Shenley Village capped a memorable season in style after beating Enfield-based Botany Bay by 102 runs to successfully defend their Readers County Trophy on Sunday.

The teams met at Letchworth after Shenley had already won Division One of the Saracens Hertfordshire Cricket League.

Tom Bruce’s second consecutive century in the competition earned him man-of-the-match.

When he came to the crease, Shenley were in trouble at four for two after being put into bat on a slow pitch. But this soon became 33 for three only for Bruce, together with Rob Laney, to put on 178 for the fourth wicket and turn the innings around to a match-winning total of 280.

The New Zealand-born batsman, who finished his first season in English club cricket with 1,136 runs to his name at an average of 63.11, put in a fine display of batting.

Laney made a valuable contribution scoring 89 as Shenley Village posted a total of 280 for eight from 50 overs.

Botany Bay were unable to threaten this target as they were dismissed for 178 in 47.1 overs.

Lloyd Willingham was the pick of the bowlers as he returned figures of three for two. Craig Rawlings came away with two for 42 while Kris Nissen, Nikhil Borkhatria, William Gerrard and Laney each picked up a wicket.