The last weekend of September saw Old Trafford, home of Lancashire County Cricket Club, play host to the 2025 National Tapeball Finals. The two-day competition brought together grassroots cricket teams from across England and Wales, showcasing the growth and diversity of the sport through tapeball cricket. Among the contenders was Middlesex in the Community, proudly representing their region on both the women’s and men’s stage for the first time as ‘Middlesex United’ in the 2nd edition of this National competition.
Women’s Competition: Spirit and Skill on Show
Saturday marked the turn of the women’s competition, with 12 teams drawn from the ECB’s Cricket Cities programme. These teams have been at the forefront of broadening cricket’s reach, particularly in urban areas where traditional hardball pathways can be less accessible.
The Middlesex side faced strong opposition from established ‘Tapeball’ hubs Warwickshire and Nottingham, however, the team, largely from Brent, lost both games after putting up a firm fight. The energy on the field reflected not only the competitiveness of the teams but also the passion for cricket among communities where participation rates continue to rise.
The Middlesex squad fought with grit and determination, winning praise from rival teams for their sportsmanship and flair. Their presence at Old Trafford symbolised the momentum of women’s cricket at community level, especially as tapeball formats continue to break barriers by encouraging players of all backgrounds to get involved.
Men’s Competition: A Marathon of Matches
If Saturday was about high-quality contests in a tight field, Sunday’s men’s competition was about scale and intensity. With 17 teams in contention, the day featured back-to-back matches across the 2 pitches, creating a carnival atmosphere at Old Trafford.
Middlesex United (Men’s) entered the fray with confidence, drawing on their experience of playing in highly competitive north London leagues. The squad faced tough opening fixtures against their London counterparts Essex & Surrey with successive losses. Despite some early setbacks, Middlesex rallied to push the side from Kirklees in Yorkshire close but narrowly missed out on a win.
While they were unable to progress to the knockout stages, Middlesex left an impression with their attacking batting and sharp fielding. Their campaign reflected the broader goal of the National Tapeball Finals: to give players from grassroots cricket the platform to perform in front of a national audience, at one of the country’s iconic venues.
More Than Just Cricket
For Middlesex in the Community, participation in Manchester was about far more than the results. Tapeball cricket, played with a tennis ball wrapped in electrical tape, is designed to be quick, inclusive, and accessible. Matches are short, equipment needs are minimal, and games can be played on almost any surface. These qualities make it particularly popular in urban environments, aligning closely with Middlesex in the Community’s mission to take cricket to the heart of communities across London.
The Finals weekend brought together hundreds of players, supporters, and organisers, creating an environment that celebrated cultural diversity and community pride as much as cricketing skill. For many participants, the chance to play at Old Trafford represented a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, blending the grassroots feel of tapeball with the grandeur of an international cricket venue as South London (Surrey) in the Women’s & Blackburn (Lancashire) in Men’s competition were crowned champions.
As the dust settles on an exciting weekend in Manchester, Middlesex in the Community will take plenty of positives back home with the hope of using this as a springboard to set up Tapeball Leagues in different parts of the county and provide a greater competitive edge to their sides in future National Finals.
If you or your local club/pub team/group of friends want a chance to represent Middlesex at the National Tapeball Finals in 2026, please reach out to Callum Millar ([email protected]) to register your interest to compete in the county qualifiers.
