Nelson were crowned Lancashire League Division Two champions after their final day victory over Crompton at Seedhill on Sunday.
A superb 44 run victory over promotion rivals Crompton means Nelson will play ECB Premier League cricket next season.
With a good sized crowd turning out to support the boys, Nelson knew victory would secure the title after moving to the top of the table the previous week. The win completed a remarkable second half of the season, with Nelson finishing on a six-match winning run and securing a return to the Lancashire League Premier Division alongside Accrington.
Crompton won the toss and elected to field, and Nelson were soon in serious trouble at 24-4. Hassan Fazal, Sam Holt, Matt Pettinger and skipper and professional Tyler McGladdery all fell cheaply.
However, Gul Sabir once again produced when it mattered most. He rebuilt the innings alongside Neil Thompson, with the pair adding 56 for the fifth wicket. Thompson made a valuable 24 before departing, while Sabir continued to take control despite further wickets falling at the other end.
Eventually, Sabir finished unbeaten on a superb 73 from 82 balls, including five fours and three sixes. Lewis Bradley joined him and the pair added an unbeaten 65 for the seventh wicket, lifting Nelson to 153-6 from their 47 overs.
Crucially, Nelson’s seventh wicket partnership meant the home side were not bowled out. With promotion potentially hanging on the bonus points both sides needed, and Crompton needing all 12 available bowling bonus points to lift the trophy instead of Nelson, denying them the two points for taking the final four wickets proved vital to Nelson’s cause.
Crompton’s chase began steadily, but Nelson’s bowlers soon took control. Hassan Fazal produced a remarkable over, taking all three of his wickets in the same over to leave the visitors 29-3.
After a brief attempt to rebuild, Tyler McGladdery introduced himself into the attack. The skipper and professional produced a magnificent spell, finishing with 4-17 from 12.2 overs, including six maidens. Kuz Nazir also contributed with 2-25.
The sixth wicket taken by McGladdery meant the home side knew they would be playing in the Premier Division next season, as Crompton could no longer overtake Nelson in the battle for promotion.
Although it was the final wicket that brought the title celebrations.
With Crompton reduced to their last wicket, the number 11 struck a ball towards long on, where Tom Bradshaw held the catch from Tyler’s bowling to seal the Division Two championship and spark celebrations all round the ground.
Crompton were dismissed for 109 in 38.2 overs, giving Nelson a deserved 44 run victory and, more importantly, the league title.
Nelson finished 10 points clear at the top of the table, with Accrington securing the other promotion place. Crompton’s defeat saw them miss out on promotion.
For Nelson, the achievement is particularly significant. Before the 2026 season, the last time Nelson 1st XI won a senior league title was in 1999.
After a long and hard fought promotion campaign, which started with some new and some returning faces, along with a lot of hard work that began back in the indoor nets in January.
The team continued their hard work throughout the Summer and they can finally celebrate being crowned Lancashire League Division Two champions and securing their return to the Premier Division.
Thankyou to everyone who has supported us along the way
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