Summer Leagues 2025 – Review
Harry Carr and his Henley 1 side narrowly failed to successfully defend their Summer Leagues Division One crown finishing in the runner up spot behind University 1 who were claiming their first title at this level for longer than anyone can recall!
A change in employment circumstances heralded the arrival in Oxford of Ash Stanton and the new Number One’s seven unbeaten appearances was probably the difference in securing the championship. A great deal of credit must go though to James McCouat who can boast a 12 wins from 12 starts record for the season and to Francois Louw who risked a swift end to his recent marriage by rocking up for a match during his honeymoon!
Doubtless, Brackley (the Winter 2024/25 Champions), Defence Academy as well as Henley will be mindful of the threat the Uni outfit poses for the Winter so it should make for a mouth watering campaign.
Division Two was completely monopolised by Harwell although how harmonious relations are between their 2 teams may be brought into question as the Two’s landed the spoils quite convincingly ahead of their more highly ranked stable mates. Despite the uncertain future at the club, Thame managed a creditable third and hot off the press, they have submitted a side to play in September.
The Spiceball Platypuses and University 3 provided the closest of title races in Division Three with the former prevailing by 3 points (200 to 197) after securing a maximum over Abingdon 4 in their final outing. Andrew Bissell has his troops well marshalled over in Banbury and this success was very well deserved.
Putting out teams for a 12-14 match schedule especially in July/August is very challenging but full credit must go to all the skippers for getting their charges through it with only 2 fixtures being conceded. We may need to make a few changes moving forward but it is important for the sport in the county that the Leagues platform is provided throughout the whole year however tricky it sometimes appears.