The Bishop of London has congratulated the Diocese of London cricket team, which has once again triumphed in the Church Times Cricket Cup, storming to a nine wicket victory in this year’s final at Southgate’s Walker Ground.

Their opponents, Leeds, made an excellent start before collapsing from 160 for 3 to 167 all out.  Not for the first time lunch proved to be something of a turning point with some good late pressure from the bowling side in the early afternoon.

London managed to comfortably overhaul Leeds’ total with 11 overs to spare, finishing on 168-1 and clinching their fourth title in as many years.

London’s Captain, The Reverend Ed Kendall, Pioneer Minister at St Michael and St George Fulwell, said:

‘We’re delighted to have won not least because we now equal Oxford’s record of four cup wins in a row.  It was a great achievement from the team with every member contributing throughout the season.  Above all, we’ve had a lot of fun on the way.‘

The Diocese of London 2016 team was:

The Reverend Ed Kendall (Captain), Pioneer Minister, St Michael and St George Fulwell

The Reverend Andrew Downes (Wicket-Keeper), Vicar, St Mary Sunbury-on-Thames

The Reverend Tim Rose (Club Secretary), Pioneer Minister, St Mary Mag Littleton

The Reverend Joe Moffatt, Vicar, St Mary Teddington, Priest in Charge, St Peter and St Paul Teddington and Area Dean, Hampton Deanery.

The Reverend Jamie Child, Curate, St Helen Bishopsgate

The Reverend Chris Lee, Priest in Charge, St Saviour Wendell Park

The Reverend Philip Davison (12th man), Vicar, St Mary Finchley

Sam Rylands, Youth and Community Worker, St Mark’s, Tollington Park

The Reverend Matt Beeby (Vice-Captain), Assistant Curate, Christ Church, Mayfair

The Reverend Jez Barnes, Vicar, St Stephen Twickenham

The Reverend Andy Watkins, Curate, St Stephen Twickenham

The Reverend Pat Allerton, Curate, St Dionis Parsons Green

Pictured are:

 Back Row (L-R): Joe Moffatt, Jez Barnes, Pat Allerton, Tim Rose, Sam Rylands, Andy Watkins, Jamie Child, Philip Davison

 Front Row (L-R) : Andrew Downes, Matt Beeby, Bishop Richard, Ed Kendall, Chis Lee.