Sawston & Babraham wrap up third East Anglian Premier League title to provide perfect end to captain Dan Heath’s tenure

For the third time in the last four years, the Thurlow Nunn East Anglian Premier League trophy will be inscribed with Sawston & Babraham’s moniker.

Champions in 2022 and 2023, the Rams were dethroned 12 months ago by Swardeston.

But nine straight victories – including Saturday’s season-ending five-wicket win at Frinton-on-Sea – saw Dan Heath’s men reclaim the title with a 13-point margin to Copdock & Old Ipswichian in second place.

And rather than highlight one particular department of the team, Heath believes that this triumph was down to a collective effort.

“It’s come down to our strength in depth because we’ve had some injuries and missed players throughout the whole season,” said Heath, who was absent from the last three matches due to injury.

“We signed Ethan Rice last winter and after bowling in our first game he didn’t bowl again until the second from last game due to a stress fracture in his back. Ben Clilverd hasn’t really been able to bowl for us and we lost Ben Claydon – one of our top players – to a dislocated shoulder and broken collarbone.

“To lose three starting players like that, there aren’t many teams that would have been able to cope with that but others have really stood up.

“When we’ve had our backs to the wall and a bit of crisis we’ve shown some real character.”

This latest success will mark the end of an era for Heath, who is to step down as captain after six years in the role.

It is news that could have actually come a year earlier, but the timing now feels right.

Heath added: “It’s a decision that we took at the start of the season and to be honest I’d have properly stepped away had we won the league last season.

“I wanted to go out on winning the league and I felt with the side we’d built and the characters that we had that we’d have a real opportunity of doing that.

“I’ve done six years and we’ve won leagues in four of those if you include being in the Cambs League, which is pretty incredible.

“I signed for the club from Great Shelford in 2018 because I wanted to play in the Premier League, but we never thought back then about actually winning it.

“We’ve gone from strength to strength and the club is in such a good place to continue this success.”

Nevertheless, Heath’s decision to relinquish the captaincy will not end his association with the club.

“I’m still keen to play. The lads in the team are my best mates and winning things with them, that’s what you remember,” he said.

“It will be a bit of a transition for me and something I’ll need to get used to, especially because I love leading and managing.

“But now I’ll get to take a step back and focus on my own game, which is something I’m looking forward to doing.

“This is the right time to step aside, I’ve got no doubts on that.”

Heath’s replacement as skipper of the first team will be confirmed in due course.