BOWLERS and batsmen have both adapted their game to shine in the eight-a-side Coors Phoenix 15 League – just pity the fielders trying to plug the gaps.

Despite having only 15 overs to get their eye in, high scores have still been to the fore after Andrew Whitehead blasted an unbeaten 117 for Newcastle and Hartshill against Meakins and Darren Snape smashed 108no for Betley at Crewe.

The rush for runs can be punishing for bowlers, but seven hat-tricks were accumulated last summer, while Richard Hassall's 11 wickets at an average of 16.5 helped all-conquering Wood Lane win the title.

"It's pure entertainment, there's no other word for it," said Hem Heath president John Sanders, right.

"Some of the performances have been unbelievable, and they have helped draw in some big crowds for two or three hours on a midweek evening.

"I just feel a bit sorry for the chap who's left as the only fielder on the offside. On a full-size pitch with only six fielders once the bowler and wicketkeeper have been taken into account, it can be hard work."

The league was formed in 2006 to keep alive the name of the old North Staffs and District League, and has since donated up to £12,000 to charity.

But the past 12 months have proven a turbulent time, to a point where the future of the competition was under threat.

Former treasurer John Salmon pleaded guilty to stealing in excess of £43,000 from voluntary organisations, including £3,420 from the league. He was jailed for two years.

But the bank which held the Phoenix 15 cash agreed to reimburse them, enabling officials to keep the tournament going.

And at the end of the summer, the Donna Louise Hospice Trust and the Whizz-Kidz charity were able to share a total sum of £1,800 raised by the league during the season.

On the pitch, Wood Lane added the Phoenix 15 crown to their North Staffordshire and South Cheshire League Twenty20 win and the Premier Division title.

Openers Deane Jervis and stand-in skipper Ryan Hassett – leading the side in place of Danny Brierley – set about the Stone attack with gusto in the final, at Oulton in July, and won with six overs to spare.

Sanders added: "What the league has done since its inception is incredible, raising £12,000 for charity."

Plans are already in place for 2012, which will see the prize money awarded to zone winners and finalists increase by a total of 25 per cent.

Sanders has nominated the competition in the Sport in the Community category of The Sentinel/City of Stoke-on-Trent Sports Personality of the Year awards.

He said: "I am sure the competition will grow and grow and continue to be a big part of community life.

"The format is different to anything else on offer, and league chairman Ken Lightfoot and secretary Roger Machin have done such a fine job to keep everything so well organised."