Firstly - where has the summer gone?
The Middlesex County Cricket League enters its final weekend of the season this Saturday with the ultimate prize – MCCL 1st XI Premier League Winners – along with several others, still to be settled. At numerous grounds around the county this Saturday evening teams will be celebrating a good summer of work or thinking ‘if only’.
In anticipation of what will be fascinating weekend of cricket here is a roundup of what is still yet to be decided.
North Middlesex’s unexpected defeat to Hornsey at the weekend has turned the race for the Premier League title from a four to a three horse race. The sides still capable of winning the prized trophy are Crouch End, Ealing and Shepherds Bush. Two of these teams – Crouch End and Shepherds Bush – play each other and the victor could well walk away as champions. With points being awarded depending on the margin of a defeat things could become rather complicated. Here is what needs to take place for each of the teams to be champions.
The permutations...
Crouch End are top and if they defeat Shepherds Bush they will win the Premier Division of the MCCL for the second time. If they lose, Shepherds Bush and Ealing could overtake them.
The could for Ealing is down to whether they win or lose. If Crouch End lose and Ealing win, Ealing become champions for the 12th time.
The could for Shepherds Bush depends on Ealing losing and the size of their margin of victory over Crouch End. If Ealing lose Shepherds Bush must beat Crouch End comprehensively to win the MCCL Premier League for the first time. Comprehensively is by a margin of over 20%. Twenty percent means Shepherds Bush passing Crouch End’s target having lost fewer than 8 wickets, or defeating them by a run margin greater than 20% of the 1st innings total they posted eg keep Crouch End to under 160 if they post a score of 200. If Crouch End get within 20% they receive a bonus point which would place them on 117 points, the same as Shepherds Bush. Crouch End would be champions on the fact they have won more games than Shepherds Bush during the season – 11 compared to 10. I do hope you're still following...
At the bottom, things are thankfully simpler, with both Finchley and Brondesbury already relegated to Division One.
With Hampstead having already won Division 1 there is only one more promotion place to the Premier League up for grabs. Three teams still have a chance of taking the second spot and they are Harrow Town, Harrow St Mary’s and Wycombe House. Below is what each of these three teams need to happen to gain promotion.
The permutations...
If Harrow Town beat Southgate on Saturday they are promoted to the Premier League for the first time. If the lose but get a point or two using the same calculations as in the Premier League, they will end Wycombe House’s chance of gaining promotion. Harrow Town losing does, however, open the door to Harrow St Mary’s. If Harrow Town lose and Harrow St Mary’s win Harrow St Mary’s are promoted back to the Premier League. Wycombe House enter the promotion race if they win and Harrow Town and Harrow St Mary’s lose. If Wycombe House win, Harrow Town lose without a bonus point and Harrow St Mary’s lose, Wycombe House reach the same number of points as Harrow Town. In this situation Wycombe House go up on the fact they have won more matches.
Kenton are already relegated. Barnes are 2nd from bottom and will only overtake Southgate and get out of the relegation zone if they beat Twickenham and Southgate lose to Harrow Town. If Southgate beat Harrow Town, Barnes are relegated.
Indian Gymkhana are already promoted as Division 2 champions. Three teams – Osterley, Harrow and Highgate - are challenging for the final promotion position. The number of possibilities is even more complicated than in the Premier League and Division 1, so we will try to keep it as simple as possible
The permutations...
If Osterley defeat Old Isleworthians they are promoted. If they lose and Harrow win at Wembley, Harrow get promoted. Highgate can only be promoted if they beat Eastcote and both Osterley and Harrow lose. The complications arise if all three sides lose yet Harrow get one or two bonus points and Osterley get no or one bonus points. If Osterley and Harrow lose and end up on the same points tally, Harrow get promoted because they have won more matches than Osterley.
There will be no drama at the bottom as both Wembley and Old Isleworthians are already relegated.
London Tigers are already promoted as champions. Two teams – Chiswick and Brentham – are competing for the final position.
The permutations...
If Chiswick win at South Hampstead they are promoted. If Chiswick lose and Brentham defeat London Tigers Brentham are promoted.
As in Division 2 there will be no drama at the bottom as both Alexandra Park and Actonians are already relegated.
Promotion has already been decided. Bessborough go up as champions and they will be joined by Stoke Newington.
At the bottom of the table London Sportif are already relegated. One of three teams – New Calypsonians, Kensington & Chelsea or Lanka Lions – will join them in Division 5 in 2025.
The permutations...
New Calypsonians currently occupy the second relegation position and they play Lanka Lions. If New Calypsonians lose they are down. If they win they stay up and the final relegation position will be between Lanka Lions and Kensington & Chelsea. If Kensington & Chelsea lose they would then go down. If Kensington & Chelsea win, and Lanka Lions lose to New Calypsonians, Lanka Lions are relegated.
All the promotion and relegation issues have been decided in Division 5. North London Muslims and South Harrow have been promoted, whilst Priory Park and Youth Wing have been demoted. The only thing to be decided is who will be champions.
The permutations...
If North London Muslims win they are champions. If North London Muslims lose and South Harrow win South Harrow will become champions
Everything has been decided here. London Desperados are promoted as champions and they will be joined in Division 5 in 2025 by United Sports.
Burhani have been relegated.
Harlington Meadows have won the Division and have been promoted into Division Six.
If you've managed to make sense of tall that, then hopefully you can sit back and relax, and enjoy what promises to be a thrilling end to the Middlesex County Cricket League.
Good luck to all sides still vying for titles or promotion and to those looking to avoid relegation!
Enjoy it and have fun.
