The league season is over and the results are in. The final week was punctuated with some strange results as poor availability hit several sides. The final tables can be found here
In Division 1 with Matching and Ilford having sown up slots 1 and 2, attention focused on the bottom of the table. Theydon Bois completed their own mission impossible by beating Hatfield Heath by 109 runs, but were still reliant on South Loughton or Molehill Green dropping points. In the event, both did with Molehill Green fate being sealed by defeat at Stansted and South Loughton collapsing to 20 all out against the champions, Matching Green.
Aspenden wrapped up the Division 2 title with a 5 wicket win at Takeley, as Three Caps enjoyed a walkover against Farnham who could not raise a side. Both Asps and Three Caps will deservedly be in the top flight next season. At the bottom last week’s defeat for Cloghams had confirmed their relegation already leaving a straight battle between Roding Valley Is and Willingale. The Gale trounced Bengeo by 225 runs meaning that Valley had to win to stay up. Having batted first and score 225-7, they had Stortford IIIs 135-6 before the weather intervened forcing the match to be abandoned and saving Willingale in the process. Perhaps they can use #stayingutg for a week or two?
The de-fact promotion play off in Division 3 saw Stansted Hall and Elsenham Is prove too strong for Braughing with the Hall winning by 92 runs. Having finished third last season, the Hall will be proud that they held their nerve to secure promotion this year. Relegated Dunmow IIs finished the season with a morale boosting win at Abridge and Potter Street will look to regroup in Division 4 next season.
Talking of which, three sides’ futures hang in the balance in two games. Third placed Nazeing Common IIs were looking for a win to help their promotion prospects and achieved it in style with a 6 wicket win against Theydon Bois IIs. That left the top two to slug it out for the title, with Thaxted know only a win would assure them of firstly promotion and secondly the title. Roding amassed an intimidating 277 all out on Thaxted’s lovely track and must have been confident of securing the title at tea. However, Aaron Gent hit a 100 and shared a 185 run partnership to see Thaxted a fabulous 8 wicket victory. A title that is all the more remarkable given that Thaxted only escaped relegation on the last day of last season. Valley’s failure to secure 10 bonus points saw them slip out of the top 2 for the first time since the 21st June, which would have left many a broken heart.
The only unresolved issue was in Division 5 where Hockerill IIs needed 8 points to secure the second promotion spot. Matching Green IIs kept the up pressure by winning by 10 wickets at home to Albury. However Anthony Challis’ side proved they had the balls (even if they were borrowed J ) to overhaul South Loughton’s 189 all out to win by 3 wickets and bounce straight back to Division 4. Little Hallingbury rounded off their title winning season with a victory in the damp and gloom to remain the only side in the league to be undefeated all season.
It has been a pleasure playing and tweeting with everyone around the HECL this season. I would like to pass on our grateful thanks to the HECL committee and especially Bob Mills of Thorley CC, for ensuring that 60 sides have had access to league cricket this season. Congratulations to everyone on their success and commiserations to those that have had a difficult season or missed out on what they hoped for.