Ealing Cricket Club triumphed to become Middlesex County Cricket League Premier League champions for a record twelfth time on an absorbing final day to the men’s club season.
The last day of the 2024 league season began with intrigue high, and three teams – Crouch End, Ealing and Shepherds Bush – all believing they could win the title. And the captivation continued throughout the entire afternoon as each of the three teams spent time at the top of the Premier Table.
Yet it was Ealing CC who prevailed on an oppressive and overcast evening when they completed a nervy five wicket victory over North Middlesex.
Ealing began the day in second place, knowing they would only triumph if Crouch End slipped up in their home game against Shepherds Bush. And Crouch End did just that when they fell to a 123 runs defeat against Shepherds Bush. Shepherds Bush’s victory over Crouch End saw them overtake their opponents and occupy the top spot, albeit on a temporary basis!
At that moment all Shepherds Bush eyes would have turned to Ealing, in the hope North Middlesex would do them a favour, by defeating their opponents. And for a while it seemed as though North Middlesex were going to do just that. Chasing 194 for victory Ealing were stumbling on 131-5 when Will Vanderspar dismissed Karanjot Singh for 3. But an unbeaten 63 runs partnership between Ethan Petta (79*) and Mylo Wilkin (12*) ended Shepherds Bush’s dreams of winning the league for the first time, and ensured another evening of celebration took place in Ealing’s wonderful old Victorian Pavilion.
So huge congratulations must go to Ealing CC, who once again can claim the title of being the best club side in Middlesex.
Great respect musty also go to Crouch End and Shepherds Bush for the roles they have played in making the 2024 MCCL season another to remember.
Ealing were not the only club to be celebrating on Saturday evening as several other teams completed a successful summer of cricket.
The conclusion of Division One was just as dramatic as the Premier League. Hampstead were crowned champions a couple of weeks ago but the final promotion place was only decided on the final ball of the season. Congratulations go to Harrow Town, who secured their place in the Premier League for the first time with a dramatic 5 run victory over Southgate. Harrow St Mary’s, who would have prospered had Harrow Town slipped up, must have at one time felt it would they who would gained promotion, having defeated Hampstead and watched Southgate ease to 133-2 chasing Harrow Town’s modest total of 177. But Harrow Town’s bowlers, led by Kunal Kothawade (4-28) held their nerve to keep Southgate down to 172-9 in their 45 overs, a result that no doubt ensured that a special evening of celebration took place in and around Rayners Lane Station.
Southgate’s capitulation and Barnes’ defeat of Twickenham meant that Southgate dropped into ninth place, a position that results in them being relegated to Division Two with Kenton.
Division Two was a similar scenario to Division One, with Indian Gymkhana already heralded as champions and two teams, Osterley and Harrow, competing for the final promotion place. And, as in Division One, it was the team that started the day in 2nd place that prevailed. Here it was Osterley who held their nerve by completing a four wicket victory over Old Isleworthians. Harrow pushed Osterley the whole way by comfortable defeating Wembley but in the end they fell one point short of their rivals.
There was no drama at the bottom with Old Isleworthians and Wembley already having been relegated.
Division Three was no different to Divisions One and Two at the start of the day with the champions – London Tigers – already known and two teams competing for the final promotion place. Unlike Divisions One and Two it was the team that were placed third at the start of the day that gained promotion. Chiswick needed to win at South Hampstead to go up but, in a fascinating and hard fought match, it was the home side that came out as winners. Chiswick’s defeat opened the door for Brentham, who charged through by beating the champions by 18 runs. Jack Ellis was the hero for Brentham taking 4-37.
As with Division Two there was no drama at the bottom, with Alexandra Park and Actonians having already been relegated.
In Division Four things had already been decided at the top of the table with Bessborough crowned as champions and Stoke Newington taking the 2nd promotion place. At the bottom there was, however, still plenty to play for, with the key game being between Lanka Lions and New Calypsonians. Lanka Lions won the game by 70 runs to maintain their position in Division Four and send New Calypsonians down to Division Five.
With both promotion places already secured there was no real drama in Division Five, all that had to be decided was who was champions - North London Muslims or South Harrow. In the end it will be North London Muslims who will be lifting silverware as they secured their position with a thumping 253 run victory over relegated Priory Park. South Harrow won too but they will have to settle just with promotion. Prory Park and Youth Wing already knew their fate and will be playing in Division Six in 2025.
In Divisions Six and Seven everything had already been decided. London Desperados and United Sports had previously secured promotion, so congratulations are extended to them, and Burhani had bee relegated. Burhani will be replaced by Harlington Meadows in 2025 after they won Division Seven.
