Harefield have been crowned Champions of the 2024 Home Counties Premier League, Division 2.
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Harefield – Courtesy of Andy Bone (Sports Shots)
League table
Stephen Croft’s side clinched the title with a convincing eight-wicket victory over second placed Gerrards Cross, highlighting their superiority throughout the season.
Dan Ogden (66 not out) and Thomas McLeod (40 not out) shared an unbeaten stand worth 101 runs to guide them across the line and win the title with three games remaining.
Ogden is the leading run scorer in the second tier of the Home Counties with 618 runs at an impressive average of 77.25.
Earlier, the Harefield bowling unit produced a restrictive spell as Gerrards Cross posted 138 for 8 from their 50 overs. Only Ben Lane (30) making a contribution.
Bicester & North Oxford secured their fourth win of the season to move off the bottom when they defeated Slough by four wickets.
The visitors, who were third at the start of play, made 202 all out after being bowled out in 48 overs. Opener Saqlain Basharat made 51 at the top of the order, while Mohammed Avas (40) chipped in, but Bicester & North Oxford’s skipper Ryan Moore claimed four for 41.
The home side recovered from 34 for 4 thanks to an excellent knock by Marcus Jeacock, who saw his side home with an undefeated 88 as he shared an 81-run fifth wicket partnership with Moore, who capped a fine performance with 35.
Thame Town secured back-to-back wins as a two-wicket success over Amersham saw them move up to sixth in the table, 23 points above the drop zone.
Alex Browne (75) and Ubaid Kiani (35) put Thame in an excellent position in chasing Amersham’s total of 238 for 8 from their 50 overs. After both players departed, the home side had a wobble as they went from 193 for 5 to 195 for 8 in just ten balls. Hassam Mushtaq played a captain’s innings as he stood firm with Brad Watson as they navigated Town to victory with two balls to spare. Mushtaq made 42 not out, Watson finished with 20 not out.
After being inserted, Amersham were indebted to an 183-run stand between Madhuka Liyanapathiranage (100) and Michael Payne (85). The duo’s fourth wicket partnership took their side from 38 for 4 to 227 for 5 as they eventually closed on 238 for 8. Payne going through the 600-run mark for the season. Mushtaq enjoying a solid all-round day with three for 61.
The Chesham pairing of Matt Rance and Andy Goddard produced a match winning stand of 180 as they defeating Buckingham Town by seven wickets at The Meadow.
After losing two wickets on forty, Rance and Goddard played superbly as they steered their side to the points. Rance eventually departed for 119 but Goddard finished unbeaten on 92 not out as they passed their visitors total of 231 for 9 (234-3).
Town batters Dan Blacktopp (57), Chad Barrett (70) and skipper Adam King (46 not out) were in the runs as six bowlers claimed poles.
Stoke Green took just 28 overs to chase down victory over Oxford in a six-wicket win.
Oxford were bowled out for 156 in 43.4 overs before Green reached their target at just four down.
