National Club Championship: Round 2 Preview
From 255 entries to just 64 clubs remaining, Round 2 of the ECB National Club Championship—better known as the National Knockout—is set to deliver another cracking Sunday of top-tier club cricket.
Sixteen former champions are still in the hunt, and just 6 of the remaining sides don’t play in the top division of their respective leagues, with 27 Premier Leagues still represented, it’s knockout cricket at its best, with 32 ties spread right across England and Wales, from Penzance to South Northumberland there is plenty of intrigue wherever you look.
In Yorkshire, Bradford League powerhouse Woodlands welcome Chester-le-Street from the North East Premier League in what promises to be a fierce encounter. White Rose champions Richmondshire are also at home, hosting a strong York side in another all-Yorkshire clash. Harrogate face a tough test as they head to past winners South Northumberland, while South Yorkshire sees a derby between Sheffield Collegiate and Tickhill.
In the East Midlands, Nottinghamshire clubs dominate the headlines. There’s a heavyweight local battle between Cavaliers & Carrington and Papplewick & Linby, and last year’s semi-finalists Kimberley Institute take on previous winners Sandiacre Town at their famously unique ground. 2023 champions Cuckney host Leicester Ivanhoe, the only Nottinghamshire side not playing against a local rival, and Rothley Park—last year’s Leicestershire & Rutland champions—travel to Derbyshire to face Ockbrook & Borrowash, whose star batter Ethan Debono is the competition’s second-highest run scorer so far.
The north-west brings together some of the biggest names in club cricket. Roe Green (Greater Manchester Premier League) welcome Blackpool in what could be one of the ties of the round. The winners will go on to face either Ormskirk or Leyland—two more heavyweights from the Liverpool & District and Northern Premier Leagues respectively. Last year’s runners-up Northern face Prestwich, with a potential group final against local rivals Formby or second-tier survivors Westhoughton up for grabs.
Further south, there’s a tasty Cheshire Premier League derby between Didsbury and Oxton, while Nantwich will welcome Wolverhampton from the Birmingham & District Premier League. Leek, the last remaining club from the North Staffs & South Cheshire Premier League, take on Knowle & Dorridge—one of four BDPCL sides still in the draw. Smethwick, last year’s league winners, face Barnt Green in what promises to be a high-quality encounter.
The South West has its own local flair, with two West of England Premier League derbies: Potterne vs Bristol and Bishopston vs Bridgwater. Second-tier Golden Hill are still flying the flag and will host Usk—the last Welsh side in the competition—while Paignton face a long 130+ mile journey to take on Penzance in one of the round’s most geographically stretched fixtures.
In the South East, several former winners are still alive. Sunbury (Surrey Championship) travel to Richmond in Middlesex, while Teddington host Aston Rowant from the Home Counties Premier League. Relegated Guildford are at home to Middleton from Sussex, and Banbury (HCPCL) will host Middlesex Premier League’s Ealing in what looks a very even tie.
The East of England has plenty to offer too. Wanstead & Snaresbrook take on Essex Premier League rivals Buckhurst Hill, while Bishop’s Stortford head across the region to play Horsford. Last year’s champions Brentwood host North London, one of the few remaining second-tier clubs, with the winners due to face either Harpenden (Herts Premier League) or Peterborough Town (Northants Premier League).
Down in Kent and Surrey, there’s no shortage of firepower either. Bexley host fellow Kent Premier League outfit Minster in a local showdown, while Bromley hit the road to face Banstead. Whitstable, one of the competition’s great underdogs, have a home tie against Ashtead (Surrey Championship), and Tunbridge Wells travel to Sandwich Town in an all-Kent affair between two former national T20 winners.
With all three of the top run scorers and wicket-takers from the last decade of this competition potentially in action this weekend, there are storylines everywhere you turn. Whether it’s local bragging rights, long away days, or title ambitions on the line, Round 2 of the National Knockout promises to be a Sunday packed with drama. We’ll be keeping a close eye on it all.
