The final weekend of the 2026 season is upon us. Northern Premier Cricket League Division 1 finished last weekend, with Netherfield taking the top spot after a hard fought battle with Leyland. St Annes and Settle unfortunately drop down to Division 2 in 2027.
Northern Premier Cricket League Division 2
Fleetwood clinched the title last weekend despite registering their first loss of the season against Fulwood & Broughton, an incredible achievement to go 20 games unbeaten (19 of which were wins). Euxton occupy 2nd but only by 4 points from F&B, who will be hoping to nab the final promotion spot from under their nose. Euxton play Fleetwood and F&B play Preston (both away). Euxton have the tougher fixture on paper but will be hoping Fleetwood have their foot off the gas now they are champions. Preston are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table so F&B will have to bring their A game. Great Eccleston are confirmed relegated, so the battle is for the final relegation spot. There is an incredible 4 way battle, with 3 teams on the same points (Carnforth, Thornton Cleveleys & Preston) and Lytham 2 points further ahead. Carnforth and Thornton Cleveleys play mid table Barrow and Morecambe, Preston against F&B and Lytham play Great Eccleston. Only Preston play a side with something on the line, they have the toughest fixture. You get the feeling there is plenty of drama to come.
Palace Shield Championship
Torrisholme have won the inaugural Palace Shield Championship (having been the Palace Shield Premier League previously). Heysham and Penrith are a point apart battling for the final promotion spot. Penrith have a tough fixture against Burneside who are fighting to stay up and Heysham play Champions Torrisholme, who won’t be wanting to give them an easy ride. Much like NPCL Division 2, there is 4 way battle for the final relegation spots between Westgate, Vernon Carus, Burneside and Fylde. 3 points separate the 4 teams. Westgate play Eccleston, Vernon Carus play Lancaster, Fylde play Mawdesley and Burneside play Penrith as mentioned above. Garstang are confirmed as relegated, its all about which 2 teams will join them.
Palace Shield Division 1
Leyland sit top of the pile after beating 2nd placed Longridge last week. Only 2 points separate the teams, both are confirmed promoted but the pressure is on to claim the top spot. Leyland play Tarleton who have nothing to play for whereas Longridge play Shireshead & Forton who will be leaving the Competition either way but will not want to finish in the bottom 2. Where they finish decides how many go down, if outside the bottom 2 then 2 go down but if inside the bottom 2 then the bottom 3 will go down. Fleetwood currently occupy 2nd bottom, 8 points behind Penwortham who are a further 2 behind Shireshead. Penwortham (and Leyland) will be hoping Shireshead beat Longridge and Fleetwood struggle against Blackpool in the seaside derby. Croston are confirmed as relegated at the bottom of the table.
Palace Shield Division 2
Chorley have won the division so all eyes are on the battle for 2nd between Euxton and Ingol with Freckleton. Euxton have the upper hand with an 11 point advantage and the easier fixture (New Longton, Ingol play Champions Chorley) but anything can happen. Great Eccleston have finished last to confirm another relegation for the club this season. Preston occupy 2nd bottom, 9 points adrift from Walton-le-Dale. Both sides play lower mid table teams (Standish and F&B).
Palace Shield Division 3
There’s a 3 way battle for the title in an exciting finish to the season. Longridge sit top, 5 points ahead of Lytham who are 2 points ahead of local rivals St Annes. Longridge and St Annes play Wrea Green and Mawdesley who have been relegated, Lytham play mid table Vernon Carus.
Palace Shield Division 4
Tarleton and Leyland can’t be caught at the top, the only thing left to decide is who wins the title. Tarleton hold the advantage with a 9 point lead and play Fulwood & Broughton who confirmed their place in Division 3 last week. Leyland play Lancaster who sit comfortable in 5th. Leyland will need a big points swing to claim the title. Kirkham & Wesham and Whalley are down. Whalley have completed their 20 games but may end up with the wooden spoon if last placed Kirkham & Wesham can rescue some pride and beat South Shore.
Palace Shield Division 5
Nothing to play for in Division 5, Preston Strikers continue their successful run by winning the title and White Coppice have begun a resurgence by finishing 2nd. Walton-le-Dale and Vernon Carus sit in the bottom 2 and cannot catch the teams above.
Palace Shield Division 6
Whittle & Clayton-le-Woods confirmed the title with a victory over Bretherton last week. Although in theory 2nd placed New Longton can claw back the 12 point lead, Whittle have won 2 extra games so would win on games won. New Longton will be looking over their shoulder with Longridge breathing down their neck 7 points behind and Hoghton 8 behind. New Longton have a tricky fixture against Bretherton, Longridge play Standish and Hoghton play Rufford. Whittle play St Annes who have an outside chance of relegation, they will be hoping Whittle are in party mode. Penwortham will not however, they need a big points swing to have any hope. They play all ready relegated Ingol with Freckleton.
Palace Shield Division 7
BAC/EE Preston have wrapped up the title in their first season back at the Riverside. They haven’t lost a game either and will be hoping to go unbeaten all season. Charnock St James and Garstang battle it out for the final promotion spot. With only a point in it, it will be a close fought battle. Garstang play Tarleton who have nothing to fight for but Charnock play Great Eccleston who are 9 points from safety. They will be hoping to avoid a 3rd relegation for the club this season but it will be a tough ask. Hesketh Bank sit bottom but will be hoping a win against Norcross and a loss for Walton-le-Dale (and Great Eccleston) will see them climb out of the relegation zone. Walton-le-Dale have a tough fixture against Wrea Green and will also be hoping to avoid a potential 3rd relegation for the club this season.
Palace Shield Division 8
There is an exciting 3 way battle for top spot and promotion. Preston Royals sit top by 5 points with White Coppice, who are having an excellent season as a club, 5 points adrift and Blackpool a further 5 points away. Preston Royals hold the upper hand but a mouth watering fixture against White Coppice awaits. Blackpool will be hoping for rain at QEGS school and bright sunshine at Vernon Carus for their fixture.
