2024 Home Counties Premier League, Division 2: Champions Harefield, Runners Up Stoke Green.
Final table
Final day news round-up
Harefield collected the Division Two Championship trophy before they travelled to face second-placed Slough, who knew a win would ensure them promotion too.
Heavy rain saw the wicket damaged and deemed unfit for play, so the game was abandoned after 3.1 overs with Harefield on 23 without loss.
Stoke Green took full advantage of the situation as the side who began play in third place secured a 118-run win over Amersham to take the second promotion slot.
Stoke Green – 2024 Home Counties Premier League, Division 2 Runners-up
It has been a dramatic rise for Gagan Singh’s side as they were only promoted to the league for the first time in 2024 after lifting the Thames Valley Division One title just twelve months ago. What is even more incredible is that Singh’s men were bottom after seven games.
Green elected to bat at Shardeloes and put themselves in an excellent position in the game as they posted 311 for 8 from their 50 overs. Jasraj Ghrial top scored as he stroked 104 from 84 balls after opener Aatish Anthathi had batted well for 63 off just 44 balls. Skipper Singh chipped in with 41 and Sulaiman Javed 34 also made runs in Green’s impressive total.
In reply, Amersham, needing a win to ensure survival, lost wickets at regular intervals with only Jimi Chialoufas making 77 with no other batter getting over thirty. Passikku Madusanka’s three for 49 from ten overs the pick of the bowlers.
Amersham’s defeat saw them learn of their last day relegation as Bicester & North Oxford secured a dramatic narrow 19-run win just a few miles up the road at Chesham to leapfrog them to safety.
Zian Stoop’s 104 helped the visitors as they elected to bat first after winning the toss. Opener Chris Hofen was joined by Stoop at 8 for 1 and the pair added a second wicket stand of 142 as they batted sensibly. Bicester & North Oxford eventually posted 247 for 8 from their 50 overs.
Andy Goddard’s brilliant unbeaten 75 almost took his side to the win as Matt Rance (32) and Jason Rance (33) supported early on, but Goddard eventually ran out of partners which ensured the visitors safety. Ryan Moore’s four for 52 and Daniel Savin three for 37 in form with the leather.
Results elsewhere meant the game between Buckingham Town and Gerrards Cross saw the home side relegated back to the Cherwell League, while the visitors remain in Division Two for 2025.
Chris Marrow (Gerrards Cross) v Buckingham Town – Saturday 7th September 2024
Chris Marrow’s outstanding 129 not out led the way for the away side as he put on 157 for the opening wicket with Fahim Qureshi (67). Henry Walsh struck a quickfire 32 as Cross closed on 307 for 4.
The two former MCC YC’s Dan Blacktopp (52) and Chad Barrett (32) made runs, but Bucks Academy skipper Teddy Fleming’s four for 23 from seven tight overs gave his side maximum points. Town all out for 190 in 39 overs.
Oxford and Thame Town, who were both guaranteed Division Two cricket next season, saw the home side win by 84 runs.
Will Ashton made a brilliant unbeaten 98 and found his opening partner Vishane Perera (63) a good support as they added 117 for the first wicket. After Perera was dismissed, the next three players all recorded ducks before Oxford put 213 for 6 on the scoreboard. Thame skipper Hassam Mushtaq’s leg spin collecting three for 45.
Seamer Jack Wilkins ripped through the top order to pick up five for 28 to put Oxford on top. Only Alex Browne’s 46 off 32 balls and Lloyd Paternott (32) making notable contributions with Brendon Smith (3-18) finishing up the visitors innings as they were removed for 129 all out in 28.1 overs.
