The 2026 season concluded with emotional scenes at NBMS Denton Bank as the Hill's Lee Crozier (all time leading NEPL wicket taker) called time on his fantastic career in North East league cricket, and fittingly it was against his other NEPL club South North, the 2026 league champions. Not to be out done our pro Dave Christie was also on course to become the first Hill player ever to hit 1000 league runs in a season. Read on for all the details, as well as news on two excellent end of season wins for the 2s and 3s.
NEPL Premier Division - 1st XI v South North (h) - Lost by 9 wickets - Match Report by Phil Haves
With our relegation to the Second Tier already confirmed the last game of the season saw us entertain League Champions South North.
Overnight rain had cleared and having won the toss Belly elected to bat. In the absence of Rory, Belly opened with Dave Christie however he was dismissed by close friend Jonny Wightman without scoring. Adam,on his return from injury, joined Dave and against his former club he looked in good form adding 41 before being adjudged LBW. Meanwhile Dave looked in determined mood and was striking the ball in his usual aggressive manner and with Dinners took the score to 110 when Sam was dismissed for 17. Aaryan went for 17 as Dave who went past 1000 League runs for the season and then reached his fourth League ton. Having hit off spinner Phillips for 20 in the over he gave a return catch to the same bowler having made 141 (8x6, 10x4) - a fantastic way to sign off for the season. Fletch with 32 and Woody with 36no batted confidently and helped us to reach a very competitive 291/7 in our 50 overs.
In reply against our depleted bowling attack the Champions were always in control of the game as Chris Hewison 53, Sol Bell 124 not out and George Drissell 106 not out took them past our total for the loss of a single wicket with more than 7 overs to spare.
It was fitting that in his final game before retiring that Lee Crozier was by far and away our best bowler on the day and he thoroughly deserved the standing ovation he received from both teams and spectators alike - he has undoubtedly been the finest bowler in NEPL history
We now look ahead to next season and with recruitment underway we can hopefully bounce back at the first time of asking.
NEPL 1st XI Scorecard v South North (h)
NEPL Dvision 2 - 2nd XI v South North (a) - Won by 6 wickets
An understrength 2nd XI finished the season in style with an excellent victory over local rivals South North at Roseworth Terrace.
The home side won the toss and chose to bat, and despite a decent start at 86 for 3, they were dismissed for 151 inside 44 overs. Pick of the bowlers were Nazif Habibi with another 4 wickets, alongside the evergreen Pete Jones (also wth 4 wickets), with a wicket each for Seb Fletcher-Woods and Jayam Patel.
Depsite losing opener Harsh Patel early, fellow opener and wicket keeper for the day Andy Dawson took on the challenge to finish the season in style, and he did that with aplomb with a magnificent 85 not out(13 x 4s), he was ably assisted by Jaya, (26) and Sukhveer Bhinder (15) as we knocked of the South North score for the loss of only 4 wickets in the 35th over.
The win secured a final finishing position of 5th place in the league a fabulous season for the 2nd XI considering the young sides we consistently put out throughout the season, and the loss of several key players to the 1st XI several times during the season. Full credit must go to the captaincy team of Joe Fletcher, Pete Jones and Andy Dawson.
NEPL 2nd XI Scorecard v South North (a)
NTCL Division 5 South - 3rd XI v Humshaugh (a) - Won by 8 wickets - Vice Captains Match Report by James Walder
Finally our skipper Chris 'Cherry' Pounder managed to win a toss so we bowled first at a very windy Humshaugh in the final game of the season.
After a couple of early wickets for Naz, Humshaugh put on a good partnership reach 80 for 2. The turning point in the game was a great boundary catch by Injas to remove Humshaugh's key batter. Some good straight bowling then put the squeeze on runs and the wickets kept coming. Pick of the bowlers was Cherry with 4 for 13 with Ibrahim and Injas both getting two each as Humshaugh were bowled out for 100.
The chase didn't get off to a good start with Thomas and Rash falling early but there was then a stand of 90 between Abdul (23 not out) and James (57 not out) to see the target chased down in 25 overs and an 8 wicket win.
With other results going our way we ended up 6th in the league with 11 wins and lots to build on for next season.Thanks to all the players who turned out for the Saturday 3rd XI across the year.
NTCL 3rd XI Scorecard v Humshuagh (a)