Promotion & relegation goes to the final weekend

The 2024 Home Counties Premier League, Division Two promotion and relegation will go down to the final weekend.

Feature Image

Julian Laird (Oxford) – Courtesy of Andy Bone (Sports Shots)

Latest table

News round up for Saturday 31st August

Champions Harefield extended their lead to 68 points at the top of Division Two after defeating Amersham by 32 runs.

The Hares secured their thirteenth win of the campaign as they overcame Amersham, who came to the table toppers in need of points in their battle against relegation.

Opener Will Shepherd (48) gave his side a solid start as Sean Sonia (38) and Thomas McLeod (32) continued to build as Harefield posted 224 for 8 from their 50 overs. Left-arm seamer Finn Catherwood-Smith collecting four for 55 with the ball from nine overs.

In reply, Amersham fell short by 32 runs as Hares skipper Stephen Croft did the damage with four for 42 from his ten overs. Opener Acheen Rajapaksa (36) needed more support as only number ten Joseph Rance (34) reached a score in the thirties.

Amersham’s defeat would have been worse if Buckingham Town and Bicester & North Oxford could have gained maximum points but both suffered losses.

Buckingham Town suffered a 52-run defeat at Thame Town’s Church Meadow, a result that sees the home side safe from relegation, with their opposition very much up against it on the final day.

The visitors opted to chase as Adam Ali (30) gave Thame a bright start. But they suffered a collapse as they lost five wickets for just 24 runs before Jonathon Jelfs joined Ubaid Kiani at the crease with their side 96 for 7 after a good spell from Kiwi seamer Jono Tuffin (5 for 37). The duo batted sensibly as they put on 103 runs for the eighth wicket, which proved to be huge in the context of the game. Both players made 57 as while Kiani departed in the final over, Jelfs was undefeated.

The Thame attack gave their side victory as the slow right-arm of Alex Browne (4 for 17 from 4.4 overs) was the pick.

Bicester & North Oxford went down to a 58-run defeat against Oxford, who have secured their future for next season with the victory.

Batting first, Oxford’s talented left-handed batter Julian Laird made 64 at the top of the order but his side lost six wickets for just fifteen runs following his dismissal. They rebuilt as last pairing Jack Wilkins (24 not out) and Alfie Smethurst (8 not out) added a valuable undefeated 39 runs to take their side through to 217 for 9. Ryan Moore picked up three for 23 from eight overs for the home side.

Zian Stoop led the reply for Bicester & North Oxford as he made 59 from the number three berth. Smethurst claimed three for 29 from ten overs while Laird completed an excellent day as he took three for 23 from 4.4 overs. The hosts were dismissed for 159 in 46.4 overs.

The big promotion battle at the top of the table saw Slough come out on top by five wickets at Gerrards Cross.

The visitors won the toss and invited their opposition to bat first with Henry Walsh top scoring with 104. He found support from Chris Marrow (35), Najeeb Malik (32) and wicketkeeper Ed Snushall (36) as they made 251 for 9. Syed Bukhari’s three for 43 and Pavinder Bhachu three for 20 picking up victims with the leather.

Slough had four batters in the runs as they chased down the total in 34.4 overs; Openers Saqlain Basharat (34) and Humza Ishaq (82) gave their side the ideal start before Bukhari made 67 and Sahaan John saw his side home with an unbeaten 57.

Stoke Green’s 40-run success over Chesham sees the league newcomers in with a chance of reaching Division One at the first attempt.

Green decided to bat first and skipper Gagan Singh (30) and Passikku Madusanka (32) were in form as they amassed 159 all out in 31.2 overs. Bucks 2nd XI seamer Alfie Clifford’s five for 45 from eight overs the pick of the Chesham bowling.

Madusanka completed a fine all-round display with five for 38 from his ten overs as Chesham were dismissed for 119 all out. Anaib Mehmood also chipped in with three for 23.