North Hill, Stoke Newington and Gunnersbury all lifted silverware, as the 2025 Middlesex Women's Cricket League came to a close.
The Esme Irwin Premier League, the most prominent women’s league in Middlesex, have new winners in 2025 after North Hill lifted the trophy for the first time. North Hill completed their triumph a week last Sunday (31 August) when they won both matches in a T20 double-header against Harrow St Mary’s.
Gunnersbury, celebrating their 100th anniversary in 2025, were runners-up. The clubs 2nd XI had a disappointment final weekend – losing twice in a T20 double-header to Actonians – which meant they fell agonisingly short of giving the club a lovely gift in their centenary year.
Gunnersbury 1st XI, who play in the Womens Cricket Southern League (WCSL), are in danger of coming a close 2nd too. There is one round of matches in the WCSL remaining – this Sunday - and Gunnersbury would need the current league leaders, Hursley Park, to lose to give them a chance.
Three Middlesex teams – Gunnersbury, Hampstead and Ickenham – play in the WCSL, and it was Ickenham who last week inflicted the defeat on Gunnersbury that could deprive them of the title. Hampstead and Ickenham currently lie 3rd and 5th respectively in the eight team league.
Through winning the Esme Irwin Premier League North Hill qualified for Regional Finals Day, which takes place this coming Sunday, 13 September. The Final will take place at Bishops Stortford CC and will involve the hosts and Horsham. Should they win Finals Day North Hill would have the option of playing in the WCSL in 2026.
There is naturally delight in winning a league but it is more satisfying when you play and win a match to complete your triumph. Stoke Newington are worthy winners of the Sheila Hill league in 2025 but they completed their success through Harrow conceding their last match of the season.
Had Stoke Newington played and lost to Harrow, the door would have been opened for North London, who finished 2nd in the league. But North London failed to win their final game of the season, losing to Actonians by 7 wickets.
Gunnersbury 1st and 2nd XI’s may be finishing their respective seasons as runner-up but the 3rd XI claimed the clubs first trophy of the season when they won the Derrick Morgan League. Gunnersbury 3rd’s completed their triumph with a 1 wicket win over Crouch End. Ickenham 2nd XI finished 2nd in the league.
North Hill CC - Esme Irwin Premier League champions 2025
