As we enter the final weekend of a remarkable summer of club cricket 24 of the 76 1st XI teams in the Middlesex County Cricket League still have something to play for. Fifteen of these clubs are competing for promotion or silverware, nine are hoping to avoid an unwelcome drop to a lower division. No matter what takes place on the field, there will be tears shed and drinks shared on Saturday evening – these are the reasons we play this wonderful game.
Whether the figures given above are higher or lower than previous seasons is not something I currently have the time (or inclination) to calculate but it feels to me that more outcomes are known than normal. This, I would say, is due to a remarkably hot and dry summer, weather that has ensured more results and fewer draws. A lack of rain has given the stronger teams the time to win games. It has also prevented weaker sides to occasionally get away with an ill-deserved draw.
Ironically, the wet weather of last weekend did make a difference. It would have been welcomed by some – ground-staff and teams on the edge of success or perilously paced – and was a nightmare for others – teams chasing silverware or promotion, or hoping to avoid the drop. The points awarded for abandoned games affect teams in two ways, with the most significant often being the points it prevented rivals from winning.
In the eight Middlesex County Cricket League leagues there are 27 matters that are decided each year. These are eight titles to win, six promotion places to be claimed and 13 relegation spots to be avoided. As we prepare for the final weekend of the MCCL season 16 of these outcomes are already known.
In two divisions – Division 3 and 7 – everything has been decided and in Division 4 the only matter to be resolved is who will be promoted as champions. Thankfully, in the remaining five Divisions there is still plenty to play for, which means there will be dozens of members of clubs on Saturday nervously following the score of a rivals match as much as their own.
Nowhere is it tighter than in the top two divisions – Premier Division and Division 1. In the Premier Division the results of three of the five scheduled games will have an influence the top and bottom of the table. In Division 1 there is a potential consequence of all five matches.
So what is the standing in each Division and what is there for clubs to win or lose?
Premier Division.
Thankfully, the wet weather of last Saturday and the limited cricket it allowed has not turned the final weekend of the season into a parade. Teddington’s rained off game at Stanmore ended their chance of winning the title - and secured Stanmore’s place in the Premier Division - but both Crouch End and Hornsey did find enough dry time to complete crucial victories.
The victories these two clubs achieved has set up a thrilling finale to the season. One point currently separates them with Crouch End holding the slight but ever so important advantage. With points in limited over matches being awarded to teams that lose by a small margin there are numerous possible outcomes. These points are allocated in the following way –
This possible allocation of points means that both sides could lose and end up on the same amount of points.
When teams have the same amount of points the side that has won the most games sits ahead of the other. If the number of wins is the same then the victor/side that sits ahead of the other is decided on the points won in the head to head matches between the two teams. If these two are still the same it then comes down to who has the most winning draws
And it is the head to heads that mean Hornsey have to finish with more points than Crouch End to claim the title. In the matches between the two teams each defeated the other in one game but the deciding factor is that Crouch End gained 12 points in these games, against Hornsey’s 10.
Shepherds Cot will be a fantastic place to be on Saturday as on it Hornsey will be playing Richmond and Crouch End will play host to North Middlesex.
The simplest way of looking at it is that if Crouch End win they are champions. If they lose and Hornsey win or tie, then Hornsey will triumph. If both lose it then becomes messy and the above will decide the victors.
A Crouch End win would be even more enjoyable for them as it could send their closest rivals – the grounds are about a pitch length apart – into Division 1. That would happen if the other match of consequence in the Premier Division – Teddington v Ealing – goes the way of Ealing.
That one of Ealing or North Middlesex will be relegated is something nobody would have predicted at the start of the season. Ealing are Middlesex’s biggest and most successful club and North Middlesex won all three titles in 2025 – 1st, 2nd and 3rd XI.
These two clubs may not appreciate it but that one of them will go down is a healthy sign for the league as it highlights the competitive nature of the cricket that is being played.
Division 1
If the Premier Division was complicated Division 1 is even more so. Two outcomes are known, which are Harrow have been promoted as champions and Barnes have been relegated. So huge congratulations must go to Harrow, who will play in the Premier Division for the first time in their history in 2027. Commiserations go to Barnes, who will be keen to bounce back immediately.
Of the rest, two teams – Harrow St Mary’s and Wycombe House – have nothing to play for but the fixture list for this coming Saturday means that there is a potential consequence for each of the five games that are to be played.
At the top three teams could still be promoted – North London, Eastcote and Hampstead. North London are yet to play in the Premier Division too but it will not be easy for them to get there. North London’s final game of the season is against the runaway leaders – Harrow – and they will be hoping their hosts will be in party mode.
If North London win they are up. If they lose narrowly – get 2 points as explained above - and Eastcote lose they are up as they would have more wins than Hampstead, should Hampstead win their final game.
If North London lose and Eastcote defeat or tie with Indian Gymkhana then they will go up. If Eastcote and North London end up on the same number of points North London will be promoted, providing Hampstead don’t come through on the rails.
If North London lose heavily and Eastcote lose the gate will be left open for Hampstead.
So who does each side play.
As mentioned above North London have a tough game at Harrow. Eastcote will be playing a motivated side in Indian Gymkhana, who potentially need points to avoid the threat of relegation. Hampstead probably have the easiest final match as they host an already related Barnes.
At the bottom of the table one of three teams – Brondesbury, Acton or Indian Gymkhana - will join Barnes. Brondesbury are in real trouble and have to win their home game against Wycombe House. As with Ealing and North Middlesex in the Premier Division few would have predicted Brondesbury being where they are. A loss and they would suffer the ignominy of back to back relegations.
If Brondesbury win they could overtake both Acton and Indian Gymkhana, providing, of course, that both these teams lose. Acton host Harrow St Mary’s, a team who, after a worrying start, rallied in the 2nd half of the season.
If Brondesbury and Acton win Indian Gymkhana suddenly get dragged into the relegation battle. Indian Gymkhana have three ways of ensuring their place in Division 1, by winning, tying or gaining two points through a narrow defeat. If Indian Gymkhana end up level on points with Brondesbury they stay up on the fact they would have won more games.
Acton tying their game causes several possible outcomes as they could end up level on points with both Brondesbury and Indian Gymkhana. In fact there could be a situation where all three teams end up on the same points total of 64. Should this happen Acton would go down with Barnes.
Why –
I’m off for a drink now?
Division 2
Thankfully, this Division is far less complicated than the top two and the outcomes of two games will seal the fate of the four teams that have something to play for. This is because Bessborough are already promoted as Champions. Somebody informed me – and I have checked it is correct - that this is third year in a row that Bessborough have been promoted as Champions, so huge congratulations to them.
Four points separate the two teams looking to join Bessborough in Division 1 – Brentham and Ealing Trailfinders. This means Brentham would be promoted if they defeat Southgate who, in turn, would be relegated by that result. Southgate have to win to retain any hope of staying up.
Ealing Trailfinders need to win to challenge Brentham and they face West Harrow, who are the only team Southgate could overtake. If West Harrow get a point through a narrow defeat – see explanation in Premier Division – they will play in Division 2 in 2027.
There is a chance that Brentham and Ealing Trailfinders could finish on the same points total. If this were to happen Brentham will be promoted on the fact they lead 15 points to three on their head to head matches with Trailfinders.
The same could happen at the bottom and if Southgate and West Harrow were to finish on the same points West Harrow would be relegated. This outcome is on the back of Southgate leading West Harrow 13 points to 10 in their head to head matches.
Division 3
Three of the outcomes of this division were decided before last week’s wet weather, and the abandoned games sealed the fourth, which was Kay Plus becoming the second team to gain promotion to Division 2.
So all we have to do here is congratulate Harrow Town and Kay Plus on their achievements and commiserate with Old Isleworthians and Old Merchant Taylors on their demotion. The promoted teams will be hoping to compete strongly in their new environment, whilst the two relegated sides will need to improve considerably after poor seasons.
Division 4
There is one outcome to be decided in Division 4, which who will go up as champions. Lanka Lions and United Sports were relegated weeks ago after poor seasons but who, out of the already promoted Alexandra Park and MTSSC will be crowned champions.
Alexandra Park have a lead of 10 points and start as strong favourites. They also play the relegated Lanka Lions and only need the one point teams get from a narrow defeat. MTSSC are away to North London Muslims in a game they have to win to have a chance. If, somehow, the two teams end up on the same number of points Alexandra Park would still be winners on the fact they win the head to head between the two teams 15 points to 3.
Division 5
With three outcomes to be decided Division 5 is as open as any of the eight leagues in the MCCL. The only certainty is that Ealing Hanwellians have been relegated to Division 6.
Another Ealing side – Ealing Three Bridges – can enjoy their last game as they are certain of promotion. All they need is one point from their game against New Calypsonians. Should 3 Bridges fail to get a point against New Calypsonians and Actonians were to beat London Desperados Actonians would be promoted too, but as champions. This is because they would have won one more game than their rivals.
If Actonians were to lose to the Desperados the Desperados would automatically move above Actonians and possibly gain promotion. I say possibly because the result gained by Perivale Phoenicians then enters the equation. If Actonians lose and Phoenicians win then it will be the Perivale side that move up to Division 4.
Perivale Phoenicians should come up against a motivated South Harrow side, who need to win to secure their place for 2027 in Division 5. Northwick Park currently sit in the second relegation spot five points behind South Harrow and have to beat London Superkings to have a chance of staying up If, somehow, the two teams were to end up on the same number of points South Harrow would stay up having won one game more than their competitors.
Division 6
With United Sporting Club having won Division 6 as champions and Regents Park already relegated the only outcome to be determined here is who will be the 2nd promoted team. Elite and Swamibapa are the two teams competing for the spot and it will be Elite’s if the gain just one point in their final game against Tamil United.
Swamibapa, who are 10 points behind Elite, need to win at Priory Park to retain any hope of going up. If points are level then Elite would be promoted on the fact they beat Swamibapa on both of the occasions the teams have met.
The MCCL doesn’t state Elite are promoted but my workings out suggest they are no matter the result, so long as they don’t do something foolish like play an unregistered player.
Division 7
The outcome of this division was decide last week when Tower Hamlets moved above Kingsmen because their opponents conceded the game. It isn’t the ideal way for a league to be decided but that is not the fault of Tower Hamlets or the MCCL, it’s their opponents. So congratulations to Tower Hamlets and good luck in Division 6 in 2027.
