Another summer of sunshine, showers, drama and plenty of cricket has come to an end.
The weather had the final say on the last weekend, with rain washing out a number of matches — but there was still plenty to play for and celebrate across the Huddersfield Premier Cricket League.
From champions and promotions to relegations, cup glory and remarkable individual performances, 2026 delivered storylines right across the League.
So, as the pads are put away and the covers finally rolled off, we’ve picked out some of the clubs and achievements that made 2026 a season to remember.
Premiership – Hoylandswaine Rule the Roost
HOYLANDSWAINE have once again ruled the Huddersfield Premier League roost, retaining their Premiership and Conference division crowns after another outstanding campaign.
Led mostly by Captain Ben Kohler Cadmore, and ably assisted by Captain Chris Holliday and Arron Lilley, Swaine 1st XI remained undefeated in the league and take the Byrom Shield. Finishing with 20 victories and 123 points a massive 32 points clear of nearest challengers Scholes, who ended on 91.
The title is their ninth Premiership triumph in the last 14 years and their seventh in the last nine seasons - an extraordinary level of consistency at the top of the Huddersfield game.
And this year they completed another famous league and cup double, adding the Sykes Cup to the Byrom Shield after beating Rastrick in the final at Honley in August.
That makes it three doubles in the same 14 year period, following previous league-and-cup triumphs in 2014 and 2019.
Three players scored over 1000 runs in all competitions, Furqan Shafiq with over 1300, Abid Ali who has an average of almost 64, and England’s Samit Patel, who can also add almost 70 wickets to his overall performances to make him one of the League’s leading all round players.
Max Morley and Adam Sylvester also have taken more than 50 wickets apiece.
The Sykes Cup has also become familiar territory for the Swaine, with this year's success their fifth triumph in the competition during that 14-year spell.
In short, Hoylandswaine continue to set the standard.
Last season's promoted sides Mirfield Parish Cavaliers and Armitage Bridge found life back in the Championship tough.
Both were relegated with Armitage Bridge managing just three victories and finishing with 31 points, while Parish ended on 36.
There was at least some consolation for both clubs – neither picked up a penalty point during the season.
CHAMPIONSHIP - BARKISLAND BOUNCE STRAIGHT BACK
Barkisland, meanwhile, bounce straight back to the Premiership after being relegated last season, securing their return to the topflight and take the Ballcraft Trophy.
Thongsbridge, who also dropped down last year, came agonisingly close to joining them, but were just pipped by Marsden who got over the line in a very tight finish, by one wicket in a low scoring game. There was just one point separating the two sides.
At the bottom, Hall Bower and Meltham suffered relegation to the Conference.
Hall Bower finished on 29 points, while Meltham ended on 28 with their six penalty points ultimately proving costly in the battle for survival.
CONFERENCE - SWAINE SECOND XI TOP THE CONFERENCE
There was another title heading to Hoylandswaine as their 2nd XI were crowned Conference champions after collecting an impressive 124 points and take the Hinchcliffe Cup.
This leaves Linthwaite and Holmfirth in the promotion slots.
At the wrong end of the table, Skelmanthorpe 2nd XI and Mirfield CC were relegated, with Thurstonland surviving after a big two wicket win against Denby Dale.
It was a particularly difficult campaign for Mirfield, who managed just two victories all season.
And so another Huddersfield Premier League campaign comes to a close – with Hoylandswaine once again sitting proudly at the summit, while the battle for promotion and survival has reshaped the divisions below.
One thing, however, remains unchanged: the Swaine are still the team everyone has to beat.
Thank you to Steve Parkin and all teams who sent photos
