A quick update for you all as we reach an exciting last fortnight of the men's senior season, coming on the back of another special weekend for the club in our 150th year.
For the first time – having introduced a league 6th XI this summer – we won all six matches on Saturday. Going into the last week of August and the first week of September, no other club can come close to what we've achieved.
The 1st XI are 15 points clear of Shepherd's Bush, and a win this weekend against Hornsey at The Midd would secure our second Premier League title, with a week to spare.
The 2nd XI have enjoyed a remarkable campaign; only one team in the entire MCCL pyramid – at any level – has accrued more points than our 137. Teddington lost at the weekend, which gives us a three-point lead at the top. A win this weekend at Indian Gymkhana would clinch the title were Teddington to lose again. If Teddington win, it will all come down to the last game of the season, when we host them at The Midd.
The 3rd XI are level on points at the top with Richmond, who lead courtesy of a superior head-to-head record. If Richmond drop points at all, we would win the league by winning our two remaining games.
The 4th XI sit third in the division below the 3rd XI and, in a tight league, will win the title if we win our last two games and North London lose either of their final matches. If we win our last two games, we are guaranteed a top-two finish.
The 5th XI are fourth in Division Four A, having been promoted at the end of last summer. A win in either of our last two games would mean we can only finish in the top half. We still need one victory to mathematically ensure safety.
The 6th XI, in their inaugural league season, are sitting pretty in fifth place. Promotion is out of reach, but wherever we finish will give the club's newest side something to build upon.
On Sunday, the U19s were defeated by six runs in the county T20 final, but they should be immensely proud of their run to the final – having won the competition last year – and for the way in which they play the game, as well as their friendship, which stands the club in such good stead for the future.
The majority of that group have another opportunity for silverware when they face Harrow in the MDL final at Richmond on September 7. Your support, then, will be much appreciated.
Ultimately, though, however things turn out, there is so much to be proud of as this summer draws to a close. Our 150th year has been full of so many highlights – taking ownership of the clubhouse, the mural on the pavilion, record availability numbers, regularly huge training turnouts, the growing success of North Hill, the return of Cricket Week, the Paris bike ride and the anniversary party – with the potential for more to come.
Whatever happens from hereon in, we look forward to toasting the summer together in style: first, as ever, on the last night of the season, with a barbecue and the usual festivities.
In the meantime, all that remains is to thank everyone for their contributions to a high-effort summer, through which we've asked for plenty of commitment from our members. In return, we have achieved plenty together. So, make yourselves available for the next fortnight, ensure that the club is as strong as possible from top to bottom and give this summer the ending it deserves.