With last seasons champions Hunwick CC now holding their own in the Durham Cricket League, it would see a new name on the trophy this year. Kimblesworth improved massively on last season, where they finished fifth, winning 7 and losing six to this year winning 13 and losing a single league game to secure the title. Last seasons points tally of 218 was replaced by 308 this term.
Burnhope maintained their position from last season, finishing second once again. This season they finished on 257 points, down 9 from last year. This term they won 9 and lost 5, compared to won 11 lost 3 last year.
In 2017 East Rainton finished third, this time round the third berth was taken by league new boys Seaham Harbour, they won 10 games and lost 4.
One of the biggest movers were South Hetton, who finished 8th in 2017, but climbed to fourth this time. Last year they won 4 and lost 8, this year it was won 7 lost 4. So a big improvement for them.
Wearmouth made a small move down by one place from fourth to fifth this year, after a strong start a few defeats later in the year saw them drop sightly. last time out they won 11 and lost 3, this year it was 8 and 7.
Another team who saw a huge upturn in fortunes were Belmont. Last season they were second bottom, losing 11 and winning a single game, this year however they sit sixth in the table, winning 7 games and losing 8. Last season Belomnt collected 102 points, they got 217.
East Rainton saw the biggest down turn in fortunes, moving from third last year to seventh this time out. Last season saw rainton amass 250 points, whilst this seasons, 4 wins and 10 losses saw rainton reach 161 points.
Beamish fell one place from seventh to eighth this season, with 4 wins, 8 losses and 148 points last season, compared to 3 wins, 10 losses and 154 points in 2018.
Coundon moved in the right direction this season, after finishing bottom last year, with one win, 13 losses and 78 points, this season, they managed 5 wins, 9 losses and a total of 142 points.
This seasons bottom side were Stanhope, who had a bright start to the season, being top initially, before some close losses cost them heavily. Ending the season last, down from 6th last season. Last year they won 8, lost 8 and amassed 196 points. this season they won 3, lost 11 and gained 129 points.
Division 2
The second division was dominated by Kimblesworh in both 2017 and 2018. In 2017 they finished top, with 391 points, 18 wins and 1 defeat, this season they were undefeated with 13 wins and 280 points.
Second place went to last seasons, fourth placed side Simonside, last time out they won 12, lost 5 and gained 267 points, whilst this year they won 7 and lost 5 to reach 191 points.
Kibblesworth also climbed the ladder from fifth to third, after winning 10 and losing 7, with 252 points. This time out they won 8 and lost 5, securing 185 points.
One of the biggest movers this season were East Rainton climbing from seventh to fourth. Last seasons 213 points with 9 wins and 9 loses, compared to this seasons, 6 wins and 5 losses with 170 points.
Belmont seconds move up from eighth to fifth this term, 127 points this season with 4 wins and 8 losses saw them climb, whilst last season also saw 4 wins but 13 losses.
Burnhope however were the biggest movers this season, falling from second last time out, to third from bottom this season. They ended the season on 116 points, winning 4 and losing 7, compared to 293 points last year, with 13 wins and 4 losses.
The bottom two sides were Tantobie and Beamish, in a reversal from last season it was Beamish were finished in the penultimate place, winning 3 and losing 9, with 92 points, compared to 54 last year. Whilst Tantobie unfortunatly were this seasons bottom team. Also winning 3 and losing 9, ending on 52 points. Compared to 126 last year.
2019
For next season Kimblesworth as NEDCL champions have been elected to the Durham Cricket league, we wish them the best of luck for next year. In their place Murton will run two teams in the NEDCL, as they were last years bottom side in the DCL. Again we wish Murton the best of luck for their first season in the NEDCL since 1971.
It is also hopefully that a number of clubs expressing an interest in running second teams for next season, with Seaham Harbour, South Hetton and possibly Simsonside, looking to enter two elevens each week that the league is once again on the up.
Enjoy what will hopefully be a short winter and we will see you in 2019.