The first weekend of September brought the familiar cocktail of rain, drama, and outrageous individual performances that only club cricket can deliver. Some leagues were decided without a ball bowled, others went down to the wire, and amidst the chaos the usual suspects piled on runs and wickets as if the weather hadn’t even happened.
Weather & Washouts
Rain dictated the rhythm across much of the country. In Cornwall, Penzance sealed the title without even stepping onto the field. In Lancashire, a cup final saw Duckworth Lewis strike again, with targets adjusted in baffling ways. Elsewhere, whole slates of fixtures were abandoned, particularly in the West, while the East escaped with more play than expected. It was a reminder — as if we needed one — that the end of the club season is always at the mercy of the skies.
South Wales Madness
Perhaps the most dramatic story came from the South Wales Premier League, where Newport led St Fagans by a single point heading into the final round. The two sides met head-to-head, only for rain to intervene. Newport finished 17 for one, were five balls short of staying top — one wicket changed the title race and St Fagans walked away with seven points, Newport with five, and that tiny margin handed the title to St Fagans.
It was a season decided by the toss of a coin and one wicket. Few endings better capture the glorious absurdity of league cricket.
Run Machines Keep Firing
The runs didn’t stop, even in shortened games. Adam Jones (Sudbury, East Anglian League) is now on 1,474 league runs at an average of 98 — within touching distance of the 1,500 barrier, however has headed back to New Zealand to prepare for their domestic season – will anyone overtake him in the closing weeks?
At the other end of the spectrum, Steve Stolk (Audley, North Staffs & South Cheshire) smashed 215 not out from 140 balls, equalling a league record and flattening bowlers who simply ran out of ideas. Elsewhere, Mitchell Van Buuren (Ashmanaugh & Barton Wanders, East Anglia) made 170, Sam Bates (Newton Linford) hit 161, and Ryan Pringle (Burnmoor) blasted 151 off just 79 balls.
And then there’s Gary Pratt (Richmondshire). Written off in August on 535 runs, he reeled off 139, 100* and 111* in three straight knocks to rocket to 885 for the season. The 41-year-old just doesn’t fade away — cream rising to the top once again.
Bowlers in Command
If batters were filling their boots, bowlers weren’t far behind. Dilanka Auwardt (Ainsdale) continued his staggering season with figures of 9 for 74. That puts him on 94 wickets for the year at an average of 9.9, including 12 five-wicket hauls – numbers that belong in under-11 cricket!
Elsewhere, Sumit Ruikar (Garstang) returned 6 for 25, Naveed Malik (Carlton) destroyed Undercliffe with 5 for 21 in a game wrapped inside 38 overs, and Jamie Barnes (Ormskirk) picked up another five-for ahead of their national final. There were sevens for Lawrence Brock (Oxford Downs) and Jack Levy (Brentwood), while Nathan Rimmington (Bishop Auckland) continued to deliver in the NYSD.
Check out all the 2025 Premier League Leading Wicket Takers HERE
Titles Wrapped, Races Alive
While some trophies were decided early, others are going to the wire.
- Champions crowned: Penzance (Cornwall), Didsbury (Cheshire), High Wycombe (Home Counties), Bradninch & Kentisbeare (Devon), and North Middlesex, who clinched their league in their 150th year — the best birthday gift possible.
- Still in play: Surrey has six teams separated by just 11 points, making it the tightest title race anywhere. In Essex, Colchester & East Essex are three points ahead of Chelmsford with two rounds left. The North Staffs & South Cheshire League will go down to the final weekend and in Leicestershire, Rothley Park face Kibworth in what could be a de facto decider.
This is the final stretch — two weekends left, and more chaos guaranteed.
Looking Ahead
Beyond league business, the National Counties Championship has its finalists set, and eyes turn to the European Cricket Championship, though funding questions cloud its immediate future.
From batters chasing 1,500 runs, to leagues flipping on rain and luck, 2025 is closing in style. Expect more titles, more records, and plenty more stories in the last fortnight of the season.
You can follow all the ECB National Club Championship fixtures & results HERE
