Chairman’s Statement – Roll of Honour
The 2026 NWCL season is at a close, Little Lever still have one more match in the Final of the ECB 20/20 Competition, which they play at the Worcestershire County Ground on Sunday 20th September. Best wishes to them on behalf of the whole League and lets hope they can bring back the National Title to the North West.
The League Titles, Promotion, Relegation and the Cups have all been decided, a couple going down to the last Saturday of the season, which fortunately was not a complete wash out as last year.
Congratulations to Farnworth Social Circle for retaining the Premiership League Title, it eventually being won on the last day, when they held of Runners Up Little Lever by a single point.
Read won the Hamer Cup Final against Atherton and Little Lever won the Birtwistle 20/20 Cup.
Kearsley made excellent progress in the Lancashire Knock Out Cup and were beaten by the eventual winners Northern CC.
Our representatives in the Lancashire Knock Out Cup 2027, will be Farnworth Social Circle, Little Lever, Read, Kearsley and Salesbury.
The teams relegated from the Premiership are Lostock and Barnoldswick.
In the Championship, Earby were clear winners of the Title and will be joined in the Premiership by Eagley, who ended in the Runners Up position.
In the Conference Premier, Walkden 2nd won the League with Barrowford 1st taking the Runners Up spot. Farnworth 2nd and Cherry Tree 2nd were relegated to Conference Two.
In Conference Two it went down to the final fixture with Fensicowles 1st win over Brinscall 2nd securing the Champions position closely followed in Runners Up place by Atherton 2nd.
Eagley 2nd and Barnoldswick 2nd were relegated to Conference Three.
The Conference 3 Champions are Oswaldtwistle 2nd who were well clear of Runners Up Kearsley 2nd.
The Ramsbottom Cup was won by Foulridge 1st and the Lawrenson Cup by Blackrod 2nd.
In the Development Division, Read 3rds retained their hold on the Champions Trophy going through the season unbeaten, Salesbury 3rd took the Runners Up position.
In the Birchall Cup 20/20 Competition Salesbury 3rd won Finals Day beating Earby 3rd in the Final.
A huge thanks to our League Sponsor Martin Axford of Anthony Axfords for his continuing support and Readers, for their support of the League.
Best wishes for the winter,
William W Slinger(Bill)
Chairman- The Anthony Axford North West Cricket League
