Aldenham Cricket Club sealed league promotion and were crowned Herts Village Trophy T20 champions in a memorable weekend that rounded off the club’s 50th anniversary year.

The Parishioners beat Old Minchendenians by ten wickets on Saturday in a rain-affected match that confirmed their promotion to Division 7b in the Saracens Hertfordshire Cricket League.

By finishing second in Division 8a behind eventual champions Pinner, the club sealed its fourth promotion in six years since joining the league in 2016.

The following day, Aldenham completed a season double by lifting the shield at the finals day of the Herts Village Trophy at Knebworth Park Cricket Club.

Aldenham convincingly beat league rivals Offley and Stopsley in their semi-final, with Steve Pich hitting an impressive 41 off 28 balls and quick bowler Amit Chakrawarti taking 3-16, before meeting Potten End in the final.

Batting first, Aldenham set an imposing total of 190 off their 20 overs, amassed thanks to an explosive 46 off 23 balls from opener and club captain Chris Munroe, as well as quick-fire runs from Basil Letts, Andy Tyrer and club talisman Karan Barot.

Potten End got off to a superb start in the run chase and looked set to cause a big upset, reaching 112-1 off the first 13 overs. But a deadly spell of accurate medium pace swing bowling from Raj Chandel halted their dominance and hauled back the run-rate in Aldenham’s favour.

Cheered on by a strong crowd of supporters at Knebworth, Aldenham eventually restricted Potten End to 152 runs from their 20 overs, with Chandel’s late spell of 3-23 and Barot’s 3-21 helping to seal the win.

Aldenham’s achievements this season were extra special, coming in a year in which the club celebrated 50 years since it was founded.

Earlier in the season, the club marked the anniversary by hosting around 150 former players and their families, as well as members of one of the club’s longest-standing friendly fixtures New Calypsonians.

Club stalwart Pete Munroe put in months of organisation, including chasing down old contacts from several decades for the day-long celebration at the club’s home ground, which included a friendly cricket match and an evening BBQ.

Aldenham’s Saturday captain Chris Munroe said: “It was a perfect weekend all round and we couldn’t be happier to have achieved this success in what is a massive 50th anniversary year for the club.

“We pride ourselves on being a friendly, family-orientated club that is open to everyone and it’s a huge credit to all involved that this approach continues to bring us success on the pitch, as well as maintaining a great atmosphere off it.

“We are always keen to welcome new members so please get in touch if you fancy getting involved.”

Anyone interested in joining Aldenham’s winter net sessions from January, which take place at the University of Hertfordshire, should get in touch via the website or follow @Aldenham_CricketClub on Instagram.