With the 2025 cricket season having now drawn to a close for Hartlepool Cricket Club, there was no better way to end the season with some silverware on the final Sunday of the season!

The previous Saturday saw both the 1st XI and the 2nd XI end their league campaigns with victories over Norton Cricket Club. Sadly, the 4th XI were beaten by the Sunday League North Division Champions, Billingham Synthonia Cricket Club, at Park Drive.

However, it was the 3rd XI, under the captaincy of Joe Stewart, who brought the 2025 season to close in a memorable fashion. Starting the day one point ahead of Marton Cricket Club at the top of the Sunday Premier Division, they managed to equal the result and points score of second placed Marton to win the Sunday Premier Division. We finished top of the league with 281 points, with Marton ending on 280 points. What a close and exciting finish!

Notwithstanding the one point lead, Marton’s home game against Redcar Cricket Club commenced earlier than expected, thereby putting extra pressure on Joe’s side. Redcar were bowled out for 48 runs, with Marton racing to their needed victory score of 49 runs for the loss of 2 wickets. With this 25 points victory, Marton overtook our 3rd XI to head the table.

Despite the added pressure of knowing that Marton had beaten Redcar with maximum points, Darlington were bowled out in 39.1 overs for 135 runs. Hussain and Griffin were the pick of our bowlers on a very green “Darlo” wicket, taking 4 for 26 off 8 overs and 3 for 24 from 7 overs respectively. There were single wickets apiece for Messrs Fitzpatrick Senior, Chapman and Stewart.

With rain being forecast and 136 runs needed for victory, Barlow’s powerful hitting enabled the 3rd XI to score runs quickly. Messrs Barlow and Hall shared a first wicket partnership of 35 runs in just under 5 overs. Hall was out for 5, with Barlow making 29 runs. Messrs Chapman and Curtis then saw the 3rd XI home, with 137 runs being brought up in 21.5 overs before the rain arrived. Chapman finished on 57 from 55 balls, while Curtis hit 31 from 41 balls to cap a well deserved Premier Division title for our 3rd XI!

Joe Stewart said : “What an excellent way to finish the 3rd XI season, securing the Premier Division championship on the last day of the season! Well done to all those who have played, especially those junior players who have played in the 3rd XI this season. With Marton having started early, I was worried they may have gained an advantage with rain being forecast. However, come the end of our match at Feethams, we achieved our aim : to win the league title. Well done to all those who have played for the 3rd XI this season!”.

In terms of notable performances from our 3rd XI players across the season, it was excellent to see the following players finish in the Premier Division’s Top 10 Tables, :-

- Dom Barlow : 624 runs and finishing 1st in the batting league;
- Jack Chapman : 348 runs and finishing 7th in the batting league;
- Harry Griffin : 19 wickets and 6th in the bowling league;
- Jack Chapman : 17 wickets and 10th in the bowling league; and
- Harry Griffin : 10 catches and 5th in the fielding league.

Can the 3rd XI successfully defend their Premier Division title in 2026?

Alan Jackson, (Chair of Hartlepool Cricket Club), said : “I’d like to congratulate Joe and his players on an excellent season. Not only did they win the Premier Division, but they also defeated Marton in the Final of the Arthur Sanders Cup by 6 wickets, which was played at Park Drive earlier in the season. Two pieces of silverware marks the end of an exceptional season for the 3rd XI. Very well done”.