Sussex Sharks VI to face Northamptonshire in BCEW Cup Final at Hove

Sussex Sharks VI to face Northamptonshire in BCEW Cup Final at Hove

Sussex Sharks Visually Impaired XI will take on Northamptonshire Steelbacks at The County Ground, Hove on Saturday 5th September, in the 2026 Primary Club Heindrich Swanepoel Memorial Cup final, with free admission available to supporters who book tickets in advance.

First contested in 1979, the Primary Club Heindrich Swanepoel Memorial Cup is the world’s longest-running disability sport competition. The early matches were played on 16-yard pitches, with eight-ball overs and a full-size football. Today, the competition uses a child’s size-three football, while the rest of the game follows recognisable cricket laws.

This year’s competition began in early May, when Division Two side Staffordshire were comfortably beaten by eight wickets by last year’s finalists, London Metro. 

In the other half of the draw, Kent made the long journey to Yorkshire and won an all-Division Two contest by eight wickets. Northamptonshire’s scheduled quarter-final away to Somerset was affected by rain; when Somerset could not field a side on the rearranged date, Northants received a bye into an away semi-final against Kent. 

In the remaining quarter-final, Sussex hosted Division One side Lancashire and posted an impressive 244-1 from 30 overs. Captain Dan Field struck an unbeaten 107 and wicketkeeper Si Ledwith made 66 not out. The scoreboard pressure proved too much for Lancashire, who were dismissed for 120, with Dave Daniels the pick of the Sharks’ bowlers after taking four for 27 from four overs.

Both semi-finals were closely contested. Kent posted 288-7, but Northamptonshire completed the chase with three balls and three wickets to spare, led by a magnificent unbeaten 183 from opener Bilau Akhtar. In a repeat of last year’s final, Sussex made 209-9 from their 30 overs before restricting London Metro to 195 for nine to seal a 14-run victory.

The results set up an intriguing final between two evenly matched sides. They shared their two league meetings this season: Northamptonshire chased down a large total in Sussex, before Sussex dismissed Northants cheaply in the return fixture.

This will be Northamptonshire’s third cup final, following title wins in 2021 and 2024. Sussex will contest their 10th final, having lifted the trophy in 2010, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2023 and 2025. The sides have met twice before in the final: Sussex won comfortably at The County Ground, Hove, in 2023, before Northamptonshire responded with a convincing victory at Wantage Road in 2024. With the head-to-head record level, will home advantage prove decisive in 2026?

Supporters are encouraged to come to The County Ground, Hove, for what promises to be a thrilling final, showcasing the very best of visually impaired cricket. Admission is free, but tickets must be booked in advance via the Sussex Cricket website.