Aldridge@BACA Sussex Women’s Cricket League: 2025 Season Review
Aldridge@BACA Sussex Women’s Cricket League: 2025 Season Review
The third season of the Aldridge@BACA Sussex Women's Cricket League (SWCL) came to an end at the beginning of September, with a record 17 clubs taking part in another brilliant season – showcasing the growth of Women’s and Girls’ Cricket in Sussex.
This end-of-season review wraps up another chapter, shining a light on the final division standings, key highlights and top performers, that defined an action-packed season in the women’s game.
Underpinning the recent success of the league, is the continued growth year-on-year since the inaugural season in 2023. With 23 teams now established across the four divisions. This season has seen 85 matches played (a small 5% increase on 2024), by 448 players (up 9% on last year). Conceded matches remained stable, at just under 20% vs 18% in 2024 and a significantly lower percentage of matches were cancelled or abandoned – due mainly to the dry summer.
The positive momentum over the past three seasons is in no small part down to the generous support of Sir Rod Aldridge OBE and the Aldridge Foundation, who sponsor the league. The Sussex Cricket Foundation would like to express their thanks for this continued partnership.
On behalf of both the Sussex Women’s Cricket League & the Sussex Cricket Foundation, we would also like to extend our thanks to all clubs and their volunteers, who have worked tirelessly over the summer to make Cricket happen.
SWCL Division Standings
After taking a commanding lead in the early stages of the season during the T20 phase, Horsham Women’s 1st XI [324pts] cemented their dominance in the second half to win the ECB Premier Division title, losing just two matches from 16 played.
Hailsham Women’s 1st XI [235pts] battle hard to chase Horsham but couldn’t defend their 2024 title, finishing second and Brighton & Hove Women’s 1st XI [194pts] took the mid-table spot in third – showing a consistent level of performance for most of the season.
In Division 2 the West region was won by Bognor Regis Women’s 1st XI [186pts], the Central region was won by Horsham Women’s 2nd XI [216pts] and in the East, Cuckfield Women’s 1st XI [280pts] topped the pile with a dominant unbeaten record.
Following the conclusion of the regular season, the three top-teams in Division 2 played-off to find an overall winner. In the Eliminator Play-off matches, Horsham took on Bognor Regis with home advantage and conditions proving tough for the batters. Despite being bowled out for 98, Horsham were able to defend their low total skittling Bognor Regis for just 49 and winning by 49 runs to book their place in the Challenger against Cuckfield, who received a bye on the other side of the draw.
As is always a risk in the later stages of the season, the Challenger Play-off final was affected by rain and reduced to twenty overs per side. Cuckfield lost the toss and were put into bat, reaching 111/7 – in reply, Horsham could only manage 71/6, gifting Cuckfield a 40-run win and the overall Division 2 title.
For a full summary of the final standings across the four divisions, please visit the Aldridge@BACA Sussex Women’s Cricket League official website.
SWCL Individual Performances
After the first month of season, no hundreds had been scored by batters across the league, but by the end of the season an incredible 19 scores of over 100 were notched up, illustrating the impressive quality around the league! This theme of quality individual performances continued with the ball, as 9 x five wicket-hauls were also bagged.
Below is a round-up of the top six performances in each discipline, plus the overall leading run-scorers & wicket-takers in all formats and divisions.
Best Batting Performances
Hollie Young, 208 – Hailsham Women’s 1st XI in Premier Division
Eliza Harris, 151 – Horsham Women’s 1st XI in Premier Division
Sophie Beck, 148* – Hailsham Women’s 1st XI in Premier Division
Jessica Palmer, 134* – Aldwick Women’s 1st XI in Division 2 (Central)
Sharne Mayers, 134* – Cuckfield Women’s 1st XI in Division 2 (East)
Amanda Sturmer, 132* - Brighton & Hove Women’s 1st XI in Premier Division
Best Bowling Performances
Arwyn James, 5/7 – Lewes Priory Women’s 1st XI in Division 2 (East)
Annie Hudson, 5/9 – Horsham Women’s 2nd XI in Division 2 (Play-off)
Magda Phillips, 5/13 – West Wittering Women’s 1st XI in Division 2 (West)
Tillie Tomlinson, 5/15 – Bognor Regis Women’s 1st XI in Division 2 (West)
Annabelle Tyerman, 5/19 – Horsham Women’s 2nd XI in Division 2 (Central)
Lily Hobbs, 5/28 - Aldwick Women’s 2nd XI in Division 2 (West)
Leading Run-scorers
Hollie Young, 780 @ 78 – Hailsham Women’s 1st XI
Amanda Sturmer, 559 @ 50.8 – Brighton & Hove 1st XI
Sharne Mayers, 549 @ 549 – Cuckfield Women’s 1st XI
Hannah Phelps, 546 @ 68.3 – Horsham Women’s 1st XI
Sophie Beck, 532 @ 40.9 – Hailsham Women’s 1st XI
Mia Pordage, 489 @ 48.9 – Burgess Hill Women’s 1st XI
Leading Wicket-takers
Hollie Young, 22 wickets @ 9.6 – Hailsham Women’s 1st XI
Emily Goss, 19 wickets @ 14.8 – Burgess Hill Women’s 1st XI
Alice Noakes, 15 wickets @ 12.7 – Horsham Women’s 1st XI
Kaleigh Pavitt, 15 wickets @ 26.5 – Hailsham Women’s 1st XI
Mel Beaumont, 14 wickets @ 11.4 – Chichester Priory Park Women’s 1st XI
Abbey Harvey, 14 wickets @ 10.4 – Burgess Hill Women’s 1st XI
A huge congratulations to everyone who made these lists. If you couldn’t find your name why not head to the Aldridge@BACA Sussex Women’s Cricket League official website and the Sussex Cricket Foundation social media channels for comprehensive results, division standings, statistics and reaction to the season.
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