Rain, rain go away...

As we reach the eleventh hour of the 2026 season we have a full house of matches on Saturday. All the teams except the first team, who have two more games after this weekend, finish their 2026 campaigns this week.

The second team have a difficult trip to Saffron Walden, who are in the mix for an EAPL play-off place. They are thirteen points adrift of second placed St. Giles but the Cambridge side visit league leaders Foxton; and only a win, unless the weather intervenes, will guarantee them second spot. This season has been a struggle for the twos but they have done fantastically well to keep it as enjoyable as possible. Despite this season they are already looking forward to the 2027 campaign with renewed optimism and a plan!

The Thirds have to travel a bit further than the billed Chesterfords as the home teams’ ground is suffering from the hot summer, and the outfield is unsafe. They just require one point to guarantee Junior 1s cricket next year, so that’s twenty-five runs or two wickets. With the home side safely tucked into the middle of the table it should allow for a relaxed end of season contest.

The fourth team face an Elmdon side, who will be looking anxiously over their shoulders at the other results (particularly Birchanger’s); whilst a win for the side from the hills will mean they overtake the Rams the home side are already guaranteed Division 4s cricket next year. Which is a fabulous effort for a team of dads and lads and the team where many of our youngsters have gain their first experience of senior cricket. The fifth team will be hoping that at least one of the Elmdon top order doesn’t fire!

The first team entertain Sudbury looking to maintain their incredible run in the EAPL where they are unbeaten in the last thirteen and will be looking for a ninth consecutive victory. Sudbury who shocked a few last year have struggled this term, replacing that huge quantity of runs from Adam Jones and Manelker De Silva was always going to be a tough ask. They only require eight points from the last three games to ensure their place in the AVL EAPL 2027. The Rams will be without Jack Beaumont, at a wedding but Raj Singh returns after missing last week for the same reason. They will also miss Miguel Machado who is suspended. The Rams will also want to get over last Sunday’s tough defeat in the Rothesay ECB National Club Championship semi-final. The ground will probably be eerily quiet after last Sunday’s visit by Shepherds Bush’s all-conquering army!

Hopefully the weather will not impact the title race, which would be a great shame after the summer we have had, Horsford (at Frinton) and Copdock (at Bury) both have games you would expect them to win. Swardeston (at AB Wanderers) and Mildenhall at home to Witham will both want wins and hope for slip ups from the sides above. Downham Stow host Ramsey in the other, mid-table, contest.

In the battle for the individual titles Matt Allen (Mildenhall) with an incredible 967 league runs, will be grateful that his nearest challenger Mihlali Mpongwana has gone home, to South Africa, but may be a little worried by Horsford’s fit again Neil Hornbuckle(796)! Ethan Rice (785), Callum Guest(774) , and Ben Claydon (748) are battling to be crowned top Ram.

With the ball Mildenhall’s KC Cariappa (48 wickets) is looking for a hat-trick of bowling titles but Saranga Rajaguru (Swardeston) is just one behind with Ryan Findlay (Horsford) a further four back. Witham’s Sam Greer is the highest placed seamer with 42 wickets. In the battle of the Rams Claydon (38)  leads James Sykes by two.

On Saturday night we hold our annual Presentation Evening where competition will be fierce to see who wins our internal awards.

On Sunday we host Cambridge Women in their Metro Bank clash against Wiltshire, starting at 11am. We will also be hosting the Cambridgeshire County Age Group Girls end of season event and BBQ.