The 2023 Middlesex County Cricket League finished on a high on Saturday with a fascinating and thrilling day of cricket. The final round of matches began with many teams having much to play for. For some silverware and promotion were the goals; for others it was avoiding relegation. By the end of the day tears of joy and disappointment would have been shed in similar amounts.
Premier Division
The biggest match of the day took place on The Common in Stanmore, where Stanmore CC took on North Middlesex CC in a winner-takes-all clash for the Premier League title. Had rain interrupted or heavy local showers been hovering over North West London other clubs could have sneaked into the title chase, but, thankfully, the weather remained fair, which made the result at Stanmore the only one that mattered at the top of the table.
Stanmore won the toss and chose to bat, a decision they may have been questioning after losing Aaryant Sarwant in the first over. But Steven Reingold and Daniel O’Driscoll settled the home side down with a crucial 108 run partnership. Reingold, the top run-scorer in the Premier League, fell for 46, which left the stage clear for O’Driscoll to play the best innings of his fledgling Stanmore career and instantly become a legend of the club. O’Driscoll joined from Ickenham during the winter of 2022/23 and his run-a-ball 132 was masterful in its delivery and, ultimately, won his side the game.
Grant Reingold gave O’Driscoll good support in the latter stages of Stanmore’s innings and their 82 run partnership ensured Stanmore were able to post a competitive score of 271. Will Vanderspar with 6-49 was the pick of the North Middlesex bowlers and the visitors would have left the field at the half way point ruing a couple of dropped catches and realizing they were going to have to bat very well to win the game.
North Middlesex lost a couple of early wickets but were working their way into the chase as Alex McQueen and Joe Cracknell put on 96 together. The dismissal of Cracknell, lbw to Nayan Doshi, was a huge moment. MacQueen continued to bat beautifully for a wonderful hundred but disciplined Stanmore bowling meant the required run-rate was always rising.
Whilst North Middlesex would have rued a couple of missed opportunities during Stanmore’s innings, it was the fielding of the home side that made a huge difference at crucial moments.
O’Driscoll followed up his brilliant innings with excellent glovework to claim two sharp stumpings and Stephen Reingold held on to two stunning catches in the deep. The first of these, in front of the pavilion, was to dismiss MacQueen for a superb 108; the second, running round the boundary from long-off, allowed Stanmore to win their 2nd MCCL title, the last being 40 years ago in 1983.
The catch, the win and the celebrations that followed created special moments for players, members and supporters of Stanmore CC. The win meant a huge amount to Stanmore CC and the celebrations went on late into the night.
At the bottom of the Premier League table there was late drama with Finchley, who had spent most of the season in the bottom two, overtaking Hampstead. Finchley made short work of Twickenham by dismissing them for 100 before knocking the runs off in 16 overs. For Finchley the ever-youthful David Burton was the star, claimed 4-23 in 10 overs.
Finchley’s early finish left Hampstead knowing the needed to defeat Shepherds Bush, which they failed to do.
Division 1
With the title and promotion already claimed by Hornsey all eyes were on who would be the second side to gain promotion to the Premier Division. The presence of Harrow St Mary’s meant it wasn’t quite a winner-takes-all match between North London and Richmond at Shepherds Cot, but if Richmond won it would secure their return to the top-flight.
Whilst they were dismissing Southgate for 93 Harrow St Mary’s would have been hoping North London were getting the better of Richmond, but this failed to be the case. Richmond, inspired by Kshitiji Desai’s 5-28, made even shorter work of North London, who were dismissed for 88. Richmond knocked the runs off in under 15 overs.
This meant both of the sides relegated from the Premier Division in 2022 will returned to the top league in 2024.
At the bottom it was a question of who out of Winchmore Hill and Barnes could win to avoid relegation. In the end neither side won. After dismissing Acton for 166 Winchmore Hill would have fancied their chances but fell away to lose by 32 runs. Barnes benefitted from Winchmore Hill’s defeat and remain in Division 1 despite losing by three wickets to the League Champions, Hornsey.
Division 2
Congratulations to Kenton on winning the Division 2 title. With promotion guaranteed a victory against Harrow was needed to also claim the silverware. In the end Kenton sealed a comfortable 104 run win, largely through the efforts of 94 from Schopun Jooma and Imran Qayyum, who took 4-12.
Kenton will be joined in Division 1 in 2024 by Wycombe House, who, like Kenton, gained promotion for the second consecutive season. Wycombe House were too strong for Enfield, scoring 340 in their 45 overs, a total that allowed the t coast to a 139-run victory.
At the bottom it was two out of Eastcote, South Hampstead and Brentham who would be relegated. In the end it was Eastcote that managed to narrowly avoid the drop by defeating Highgate by 16 runs. South Hampstead won too, which would have kept Eastcote’s nerves raw. Brentham, sadly, were well beaten by Indian Gymkhana.
Division 3
With Old Isleworthians already promoted as Champions and MTSSC relegated the last matter to be decided in Division 3 was the second promotion place. In a nervy affair at the Racecourse Ground Ealing Trailfinders defeated Alexander Park by two wickets to claim the last available spot. Chasing 121 for victory Ealing Trailfinders were in real trouble on 94-8 before Aqab Ahmed and Juan Henri guided them home with an unbeaten 30 runs partnership.
Division 4
With Friends United already crowned as Champions and Ealing Hanwellians relegated the second promotion spot was the only thing that needed deciding in Division 4. Two sides – Bessborough and West Harrow – were competing for the spot and both put in excellent last week performances. West Harrow smashed Lanka Lions by 193 runs and Bessborough defeated Willow Leather by seven wickets. The results meant that West Harrow will join Friends United in Division 3 in 2024.
Division 5
The only decision to be decided here was who would be Champions – New Calypsonians or Pinner Challengers. Both teams won on the final weekend yet it was New Calypsonians who prevailed to claim the trophy. Pinner Challengers can take comfort from the fact they will be in Division 4 in 2024 too.
Division 6
The big match of the final Saturday here was between United Sporting Club and Stallions, with the winner taking the title and the final promotion place. And in the end it was USC who prevailed with a comprehensive victory over their promotion rivals. USC posted an imposing 314-9 in their 45 overs, a total that Stallions never really challenged, meaning the home side strolled to a 150 run victory. It was a win that won them the title, so congratulations to United Sporting Club
Division 7
With all the situations being decided before the weekend it is just up to me to once again congratulate London Desperados on being Champions and Burhani for being promoted.
