High Wycombe’s title chance next Saturday
Next Saturday (Sep 3rd) sees the last round of matches in the Home Counties Premier League. The league title in Division One is between Aston Rowant, Banbury & High Wycombe.
Aston Rowant entertain High Wycombe in a massive game while Banbury travel to Finchampstead who were thrashed by High Wycombe today. If Aston Rowant beat High Wycombe then Aston Rowant win the league. If Banbury win & Aston Rowant lose then Banbury win the league. If High Wycombe win & Banbury lose then High Wycombe win the league.
Match-winners collect 20 points.
Oxford and Buckingham are relegated from Division One, to be replaced by Harefield (Division 2 champions) & Wargrave (runners-up).
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Aston Rowant beat High Wycombe today to win the Home Counties Premier League Division One.
If a comment on Twitter is true, Aston Rowant might be the first club to win this league without paying their players.
Club cricketers being paid! I remember how much league cricket was despised in the South of England but then it was a good idea and leagues couldn't be formed fast enough. One village club in the old Wycombe League was rumoured to offer a "no match fee and a free tea" deal. When I was about 12 I remember winning 3/6d in a race at the village fete. That would have had me considered a professional had it come to the AAA's notice.
There was certainly a few quid about in the early 2000's. They were bringing in players from other counties as that great Wycombe side reached the semis of the national Cup and won the prestigious Evening standard cup at the Oval.
When I lived abroad for a couple of years I signed up for what was effectively a pub team in the bottom division of the local league. Subs and all.
I was amused and somewhat honoured that I couldn't play for the first couple of weeks while my international clearance came through. The idea that Mark Hughes transfer between Barcelona and Man U was being delayed while the FA sorted out my move to the Dog and Duck always made me giggle....
Buckingham Town CC employ an overseas player every year, invariably a former Test cricketer. I don't know how they afford it, presumably a generous sponsor.
West Indian Shane Shillingford kept them in the Home Counties top division last season, but they have been relegated this season, despite having Sri Lankan Lahiru Gamage in the team.
Going way back many clubs employed someone as a bowler. That was seen as a job for a working man. He was usually the club groundsman so that was what he was paid for.
West Indies Test Batsman Keith Arthurton has 3 spells at Wycombe. If I remember correctly that Ford car specialists Browne's of London Rd were involved in a sponsorship deal in those days.
One of my best mates still plays in the Wiltshire league for Chippenham, and he told me one of the teams they play against had 3 overseas players this season ! That's ridiculous and a little unfair I'd say.
in a similar vein…Gerrards Cross Lawn Tennis Club used to play players to play first team tennis. Had Martin Lee and Jamie Delgado play for the club…won the county championships and got a fair way into the national cups winning prize money along the way. The prize money covered the professionals’ fees for the season and it was a great chance for up and coming club youngsters to play with top professionals and develop their game.