TEMPLE Cloud Cricket Club (TCCC) is preparing for one of the most significant weekends in its 106-year history, as the women’s team gears up to play their first ever match on Friday, September 5, at the club’s home ground in Farmborough.

The fixture will be followed by a women’s tournament at Chew Magna on Saturday, September 6, further cementing the growth of the women’s game within the club and the wider community.

This moment marks a huge step forward for Temple Cloud, which has traditionally fielded men’s and youth sides. The launch of a women’s team adds a new chapter to the club’s proud history and provides opportunities for more players to take part in the sport.

While the excitement builds for the debut women’s fixture, the men’s 2025 season has also provided plenty for supporters to celebrate. In what has been described as one of the club’s most successful campaigns to date, the first team delivered consistent performances across 18 fixtures, securing 11 victories, suffering just five defeats, and seeing two games abandoned due to the unpredictable summer weather. This run of results propelled TCCC to third place in the Somerset Divison of the West of England Premier Cricket League – the highest finish in the club’s long history.

At the heart of this success was a formidable batting unit. Leading the way was Reece Croker, who combined class with resilience to accumulate 491 runs over the course of the season. Just behind him was the dependable Gary Filer, whose 472 runs provided stability in crucial encounters. Meanwhile, Lucas Hales chipped in with 420 runs, often setting the platform for commanding team totals.

These three batters consistently rose to the occasion, anchoring the innings when required and accelerating at the right moments. Their contributions were key in ensuring Temple Cloud were rarely out of contention.

If the batting was reliable, the bowling attack was every bit as formidable. Remarkably, Gary Filer topped the charts with the ball as well, capturing 35 wickets to underline his all-round credentials. George Fox was another standout, claiming 31 wickets and regularly striking at pivotal stages of matches. Croker also contributed significantly with the ball, his 26 wickets demonstrating his value as a true all-rounder.

This combined effort ensured that Temple Cloud could both defend totals and bowl sides out, turning matches in their favour with relentless pressure and precision.

The club’s second team endured a frustrating finale, with their closing fixture at Weston-super-Mare washed out. Nonetheless, they secured a commendable fourth-place finish in Division 5, recording ten victories along the way. Contributions came from across the squad, with ten different players registering half-centuries and four bowlers surpassing the 15-wicket mark.

Meanwhile, the youth section enjoyed a vibrant summer. The hugely popular All Stars and Dynamos sessions sold out, attracting 474 young cricketers across just four sessions. The Under-11s and Under-13s fulfilled their full fixture lists, while the newly formed Under-13 girls’ side doubled its squad size in its inaugural season. Three players from this group have already entered the Somerset County Cricket Club pathway, highlighting the bright future of women’s cricket at Temple Cloud.

With the women’s debut match just days away and the men’s first team riding high after a record-breaking campaign, Temple Cloud Cricket Club enters the autumn with momentum, optimism, and a sense of history in the making.