Middlesex County Cricket League (MCCL)
By MCCL Podcast
Middlesex County Cricket League (MCCL)Nov 14, 2023
To Enfield, Winchmore Hill and beyond. Jim Gatting joins Sal and Dan
Jim Gatting is a larger-than-life character and he proves excellent value on the latest edition of the MCCL podcast. There's plenty of chat on the highs and lows that Jim's experienced in his career, plus a fair bit more besides. Do tune in to get the full lowdown.
Sal and Dan talk shop with Eastcote's Harpal Sagoo
All clubs have good years, bad years and muddling years. Harpal Sagoo, with over 25 years' playing experience for Eastcote, has seen it all ... and more. The guys also talk through Eastcote's dramatic last day win against Highgate, and the famous 10 questions are back. Do tune in to find out more.
Clinching the title; Sal and Dan talk to Stanmore's Grant Reingold
Stanmore came through impressively in Weeks 17 and 18 to win the MCCL title. Sal and Dan talk to skipper Grant Reingold about their campaign and particularly how they managed to keep their powder dry in a last day thriller against North Midd. Plus, news on two Middlesex cup finals.
Stanmore win the Premier Division title showdown
Stanmore and North Midd went toe-to-toe for the title in Week 18 with the hosts ultimately coming out on top. Brondesbury end up silver medalists, Hampstead join Twickenham in heading to Div 1 for 2024. Richmond beat North London to secure a quick return to the top flight alongside Hornsey while Winchmore Hill fail to beat Acton and so drop back to Div 2. Elsewhere, Wycombe House go big and clinch the second slot in Div 2, Ealing Trailfinders pip Actonians in Div 3 and the Stallions fall at the final hurdle in Div 6. Tune in for the full lowdown.
Title showdown looming on Stanmore Common
Rain (and thunder and lightning) did their best to ruin Week 17, but plenty of cricket was still played. Twickenham blew the title race apart by beating North Midd, Stanmore beat Ealing. Cue a title decider when The Midd travel to Stanmore in Week 18. Elsewhere, Hornsey are champions in Div 1, Kenton gain promotion - in what sounds like entertaining fashion - in Div 2. Plus, the weird and wonderful case of a side declaring (when you can't) and an internal ruck meaning that Ealing Hanwellians don't even take to the field....
North Midd edge away
Ups and downs galore across the MCCL. North Midd edge away but still a gaggle of teams in contention. Hornsey are up and in the Prem in 2024 whilst top beats bottom in Div 3. Stallions, meanwhile, win a thriller in Division 6. It really is all to play for moving into week 17.
Chris Wakefield joins Dan to talk about Teddington's quest for national glory
Teddington are aiming to be the first Middlesex side to win the National since they themselves lifted the trophy in 1991. Chris Wakefield joins Dan to talk about their run in the competition so far and to preview their semi-final against Bexley. Beyond that, the Prem remains as wide open as ever, Hornsey looking good in Div 1 and Kenton (just about) keep their title challenge moving forward in Div 2. Big games keep coming elsewhere, too, do have a listen to find out more.
Who's going where come September?
With rain (again) decimating everything in Week 14 of the MCCL, Sal and Dan think forward to who's going where come September. One 1st XI is already promoted, three more could be at the weekend. Three sides across the eight divisions of 1st XI cricket are already relegated, three more could join them on Saturday. And what of the other runners and riders? There's also been cup action in the Middlesex Trophy and indeed the national stages of the Vitality Club T20. The guys talk you through what you need to know.
North Midd and Bron begin to sneak away
The destiny of the premier league title remains far from certain, but North Midd and Bron both gained valuable ground with wins in Week 13. Poor old Osterley (Div 1) and Tower Hamlets (Div 3) are now mathematically relegated, with United Sports (Div 5) all but certain to suffer a similar fate. Elsewhere, North London hit the top of Div 1, Old Isleworthians stretch away in Div 3 and the previously imperious Friends United have their wings clipped in Division 4.
Title challenge incoming for Bron?
Brondesbury continue their title charge, but the big guns are very much in and around them at the top of the Prem. North London edge closer to Hornsey and Richmond in Div 1, whilst Harrow beat Indian Gym in the game of the day in Div 2. Old Isleworthians plough on at the top of Div 3, Friends United (Div 4) and Pinner Challengers (Div 5) almost out of sight. Elsewhere, Twickenham triumph in a topsy-turvy T20 finals' day at Ealing.
Nunes, the Captain Marvel, stuns Teddington
Just the one win in the top flight, and struggling Twickenham are the side that get it. Hornsey and Richmond both stumble in Div 1, whilst Kenton and Indian Gym play out a tight one in Div 2. Poor old Brentham gain an unwanted record, whilst Old Isleworthians hit the top in Div 3. Friends United (Div 4) and Pinner Challengers (Div 5) vanish into the distance, whilst there are a whole host of impressive 'dig ins of the day' around the league.
Tightest MCCL top flight in years? Discuss.....
The merry-go-round at the top of the MCCL's premier division continues. North Middlesex are the new leaders, but plenty of other sides remain in touching distance. Hornsey now just the one point behind Richmond in Div 1, Kenton slip up in Div 2. SKLP re-gain the lead in Div 3 in what was an oddly low scoring set of games there. Friends United now miles clear in Div 4 as are Pinner Challengers in Div 5. Plus, plenty on the fallout from the second Ashes Test and, erm, cat warfare in Dan's house....
Bron and North Midd close in on Stanmore in the Prem
High scores, low scores, crazy scores; normal service in the MCCL. Richmond and Hornsey come croppers in Div 1, Kenton extend their lead in Div 2. Chiswick back on top in Div 3, Friends United doing well in Div 4. Plus, Northwick Park and Youth Wing serve up plenty of drama in Div 5.
Stanmore go clear in the Prem, Swamibapa and Northwick Park provide high drama in Div 5
The Prem remains as topsy-turvy as ever. Stanmore and Ealing win well, Teddington blast back into contention, North Midd return to winning ways. Richmond and Hornsey looking good in Div 1, Kenton stretch their lead in Div. Plus, Swamibapa v Northwick Park; magnificent madness on steroids
High scores, high drama and hayfever-gate
The topsy-turvy Premier League season continues as everyone continues to look like they can beat everyone else. Div 1 throws up one cracking finish plus another, erm, very bizarre one. Kenton continue to lead Div 2, plus Parminder Singh tweaks and twirls to good effect for Indian Gym. Lower down North London Muslims (Div 5) and the Stallions (Div 6) go batting bonkers. So, all the fun of the fare across the MCCL
Runs galore across the league as Ealing hit the top of the Prem
North Middlesex's Evan Flowers joins Sal and Dan to talk about The Midd's 2023 so far. In the Prem, Ealing have hit the top and Twickenham have hit the bottom. Richmond continue purring in Div 1 whilst London Tigers pull off a big shock in Div 3. Plus, SKLPC's miraculous last over that got them a tie at Actonians and the strange cheeseburger incident involving North Midd's Director of Cricket.....
Hampstead and Shay Boo hit the top
No unbeaten sides left in the Prem, Richmond looking good in Div 1 whilst Kenton and Indian Gym go three out of three in Div 2. Elsewhere there's a glorious tie in Div 6 and there's news of Merv Hughes turning up in Middlesex later in the week.
Kenton chase the unchasable
Finally, we're off and running....
Week 1 was a more or less total washout. Week 2 was hardly awash with sunshine, but most sides did still manage to play. Teddington won a thriller, bowlers dominated and low scores were the norm. We had our first tie of the season and Sal and Dan discuss the curious case of a major 'dig in' .... in a limited-overs game of cricket.
The season is upon us!
Sal and Dan unpack the pre-season action and look ahead to the games of the day in Week 1. There's also a few MCCL milestones on the horizon, plus the guys talk us through the awarding of the first silverware of the season.
MCCL 2003 Pre-season Prediction Pod
Sahil Kher (Acton), Matt Robinson (Actonians), Sal Ali (North London) and Dan Hough (Twickenham) come together to try and do the impossible; work out who is going to win what and indeed lose plenty in the 2023 MCCL season. Tune in to find out more.
Cup draws and a chat with Middlesex and England’s Gus Fraser take centre stage
Gus Fraser joins the guys to chat about working on construction sites, playing for really Middlesex sides plus plenty more. There’s also the draw for both Middlesex Cup and indeed the Middlesex Trophy. Will the guys managed not to cock it up?
New teams, new challenges. Particularly for one podcast member….
It’s the bleak midwinter but that won’t stop Sal, Dan and Euge chewing the MCCL fat. How do you make some (epically) long overs games shorter? What of the new sides who will be joining the league in 2023? And plenty on how Euge is going to ‘walk the Ashes’ in the summer of 2023.
2022 in review
That was the season that was. Sal and Dan review their predictions, the highs and lows of the season and review their ‘teams of the year’. Plus, games with 130 extras and a match that’s won when you declare on, erm, 89!
Crouch End’s Joel Curtis on his fantastic season
1,242 runs at an average of 82.8. Thrown in three 50s and six (!) centuries and Joel Curtis has had a magnificent 2022. Sal and Dan chew the fat with the Crouch End run machine.
Shay Boo grab second spot as Richmond go down
Twickenham win the battle to stay in the Premier League, Bron and Finchley keep their nerve to win promotion from Div 1. Southgate win the shootout to gain promotion from Div 2 and Wycombe House (just about) hang on to claim the Div 3 title. Plus, news on all the other ups ans down from a gripping final league weekend
Teddington are champions!
The battle at the top of the Prem’s been concluded but the fight to stay up builds up to a crescendo in Week 17. Plus, Div 1 remains as tight as ever, Southgate and Eastcote battling hard in Div 2 and Wycombe House and Kenton still in the box seats in Div 3. Finally, heard the one about the game that couldn’t start because of a music concert taking place on the ground…:? Tune in to hear more.
Teddington’s grip on the title gets a little stronger
North Midd slip up (again) and Teddington take advantage. Top five in Div 1 separated by just nine points, promotion charges of Southgate and Wycombe House wobble. Old Isleworthians beat Kay Plus in the game of the day in Div 4 and have you ever carried your bat for …. 0no? Happened in Middlesex on Saturday.
North Midd slip up, Harrow Town go up and two relegations are confirmed.
Alexandra Park’s Portuguese run machine, Sharn Gomes, joins Sal and Dan to talk shop. On the field North Midd come a cropper at Twickenham, Harrow Town get promoted from Div 2 and Enfield set out on the Great Escape. Plus, news of 8.50pm finishes, players playing in their 80s and will an Actonians side finally - after a decade long drought - get promoted?
Top three struggle as results in the Prem continue to surprise
Shocks in the Prem and indeed in a few other places, too. Southgate end Harrow Town’s unbeaten streak, Tamil United finally get some points on the board and poor old Stoke Newington come a real cropper against London Tigers.
North Midd regain the top spot in a rollercoaster week of MCCL cricket
Finchley’s Dave Burton joins Sal and Dan to discuss life with Finchley and indeed all the action in and around the MCCL. Bron and Enfield serve up a thriller whilst Kensington & Chelsea score 300 plus and still lose. Harrow St Mary’s 4s somehow manage to declare after 20 overs …. and still win! Just an ordinary weekend in the MCCL
Teddington back on top as chasing pack stutter
More title flip-flopping as leads change in the Prem, Div 3 and Div 5. Plus, low-scoring carnage as Swamibapa play Perivale, and Harrow Town just keep ploughing on….
Can the Bush keep up their title charge?
All change, please! New leaders in Divisions 1, 3 and 4 as title races tighten up. London Superkings go Superbonkers in Div 6, piling on 400 plus and Sal has an entertaining day umpiring London Tigers’ Sami Haider.
New leaders in the Prem as North Midd go top
Hornsey go run crazy, Osterley & Harrow St Mary’s have a wicket-taking fest plus Willow Leather & Swamibapa provide entertaining fair in Division Five.
The Barnsley Beast joins Sal and Dan to talk about Week 8 and breaking records
Teddington and North Midd plough on but Shay Boo are also purring nicely. Harrow Town lose the only perfect record in 1st XI cricket by approximately three yards. Plus, the tightest division in the MCCL? Div 6, without a shadow of a doubt....
The rain tried its best, but cricket still prevailed. Week 7 in the MCCL unpacked.
North Midd bounce back, Teddington take the strain and Hornsey hold on for a draw. Plus, Wembley’s Schopun Jooma joins Sal and Dan to talk through Div 1, and why have number 8s suddenly started smashing hundreds?!
Bush Bash the Midd, Bron and Harrow Town remain unbeaten
Sal and Dan welcome Harrow Town’s Aravinth Nagarajan on board to discuss their great start to the season and their phenomenal 2021. Wycombe House power on in Div 3, and goodness only knows what was going on at Lanka Lions in Div 4. Plus, trees in the outfield? Dan reveals the grounds where that’s happened in the first class arena
Teddington trip up, Stanmore and North Midd take advantage
The mighty stumble in the Prem as Hampstead spring a surprise on Teddington. Nine teams across the league still have perfect records, news of a 60 point deduction and how many grounds out there have trees in the outfield?
Will the runs ever stop flowing? Week 4 Review
James Overy is our guest as gazillions more runs are scored and 300 plus threatens to become the new normal. Teddington cruise on, Bron remain top of Div 1 and Harrow Town & Highgate lead the way in Div 2. Plus, more (bonkers) stats on the wides pandemic, news of another dramatic tie and of a ding dong finish between Ealing Hanwellians and Chiswick.
The runs just keep on coming; week 3 of the 2022 unpacked
Ben Frazer (Hampstead) joins Sal and Dan to talk about the Prem, before hearing about Kesrick Williams’s performance at Osterley, mysterious cases of obstructing the field …. and how the plague of wides is getting even worse.
Teddington and Stanmore set the pace in Week 2
The runs keep coming as batters continue to dominate in the MCCL. Plus, we’ve had the first tie of the season and let’s not even talk about all those damn extras….
Runs and more runs in the MCCL in week 1
Bron go big but Harrow go bigger as 300+ scores land everywhere. Teddington hit the ground running in the Prem, London Tigers (and the ageless Sami Haider) make an impressive statement in Div 3. Plus news of an interesting signing at Osterley.
2022 MCCL Preview
Sal and Dan are joined by Sahil Kher and Matt Robinson to preview the new campaign.
Predictions were flying, necks were on the line. Have a listen to see who the guys plumped for !
Pre-season excitement in the MCCL
Sal and Dan are joined by Barnes’s Paul Stubbs to talk England captains, pre-season cricket and a bit of linear scoring!
Post-AGM chit-chat, news on a few cup draws and, erm, the Martians will soon be landing…..
The AGM has been and gone. Sal, Dan and Euge talk through what’s changing. Plus, a couple of cup draws are out …. and that sees some extra terrestrials set to travel to Crouch End. Have a listen to find out more.
Out with 2021, into 2022 in the final MCCL pod of season 2.
Potential penalties for arriving late at games, payment of players and …. pantos on the agenda as Sal, Euge and Dan put the world to rights. They even fit a bit of Ashes chat in too.
Crouch End are champions!
Crouch End’s Simon Tanner joins Sal and Dan as the guys review the final weekend of action in the MCCL this season
10 games to watch out for in Week 18
Plenty of jeopardy about in the final week of the league season. Dan and Sal go through the ten big games to keep an eye on this weekend. Yes, Ealing 5s v Chiswick 4s, we mean you, too!
North Midd nudge ahead
Advantage North Midd, but Week 17 could be a cracker. Plus, how on earth do you visit every MCCL ground in a day …. and the story ‘goose-poo-gate’ in Division 5b
North Midd slip up as title races closes up. Plus, Dan and Sal pick their MCCL XI to play Middlesex on 25-26 August
North Midd and Teddington level on points with Crouch End looking on with interest. Squeaky bum time for all concerned. Plus, who is going to represent the MCCL when they play Middlesex on 25-26 August? Sal and Dan run the rule over the contenders