North-East Premier League Cricket Roundup

Although the season may have finished just over a month ago now, the regions top clubs have been busy making signings ahead of the 2026 season.

Newcastle Cricket Club have been the busiest club when it comes to transfers up to now, completing the signings of four players, in which the first of which were brothers, Jude and Lucas Nixon from Boldon Cricket Club.

A strong first year in the Premier League for the First XI at Boldon for Lucas, which saw him score an impressive 595 runs in Division One, sees him get a move to the top flight with Newcastle alongside his brother Jude also joining him up at Jesmond after a strong year in the Second XI.

Leo Johnson, will also make the move to Jesmond ahead of next season, making his trade as an opening batsman for Tynedale last season. With the bat, he made 1250 runs at an average of 48, and he will be a big part of the Newcastle top order next season. Additionally, Newcastle have also announced the acquisition of Durham EPP(Emerging Players Programme) pace bowling all-rounder Will Alexander from South Northumberland.

Alexander, who made his Durham debut last season in a pre-season friendly against Durham UCCE, was announced by the club last week.

In a statement made by the club on social media said: “A tall quick bowling all rounder, Will joins the club to augment our seam attack and add power to our middle order. We’re thrilled he’s chosen to play his cricket at Jesmond in 2027.”

Felling have been busy recently, making two signings to bolster their ranks in the League ahead of next season. The first was Omid Majrohy, a 17-year-old pace bowler who joined the club from GEMS in the Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League. Majrohy, who has also represented Cowgate Sports in the past, took 50 wickets last season with an average of 18.26.

Durham and former England U19’s wicket-keeper batsman Hayden Mustard also joins the club ahead of the new season. Mustard, formally of Benwell Hill and Shotley Bridge, made 743 runs for the Bridge last season in 24 games, with a high score of 69.

Burnmoor have re-signed Craig Stephenson to the club, joining from Seaham Park. Stephenson, who left Burnmoor in 2025, will join back up and will add valuable right arm spin to the Burnmoor bowling attack.

Castle Eden have completed the signing of Jamie Dass from Lanchester, as the 26-year-old all-rounder makes the step up to the top tier from Division One. Dass, who scored 1053 runs, with an average of 35 with the bat, also took 48 wickets in the 2026 season at Ashley Park, and will be a big player in Castle Eden’s next campaign.

Benwell Hill have announced their overseas for the 2027 season in the form of 37-year-old all-rounder Roshan Lakmal. Lakmal, who has played 46 First Class matches in his native Sri Lanka for Badureliya, plays as an opening batsman who can also bowl slow left-arm orthodox spin.

In a statement announcing the signing, the club stated: “The Sri Lankan all-rounder boasts an incredible recordon UK soil, having amassed over 3,500 runs at an average in the early 60s, while also claiming 150 wickets at an impressive 18.13 with the ball.

”A vastly experienced top-order batter who bowls slow left arm, Roshan joins us following a successful season in the Lancashire League with Rawtenstall. We look forward to welcoming Roshan to NBMS Denton Bank.”

Photo: Benwell Hill Cricket Club (Instagram)

Sacriston have re-signed Reece Carr after spending eight years away from the club. Carr, who has also represented Willington and Shotley Bridge, returns to Sacriston, after amassing over 4,700 runs and 189 wickets in his near decade away from the club.

Young prospect, Jevin Rajapakse has made the move to Philadelphia from Sunderland ahead of the new season, having a breakout year in 2026.

Seaham Park have announced the signing of all-rounder Robbie Dawson from Gateshead Fell. Dawson, who was a part of the Fell team that won Division One last season, scored 922 runs and took 41 wickets in a successful league campaign, one that the Park will hope to replicate with Dawson on their ranks.

Karl Turner has joined Willington in Divison One, after spending the last three of seasons at Whitburn. Turner, who amassed a mammoth 1388 runs at Whitburn last season brings valuable runs to the Willington top order. The club have also completed the signing of Ellis Dunn, who captained Durham and North East Cricket League Division One side Peterlee last season, as well as Jack Hall, who makes the move to the club from Esh Winning.

Lukas Culley has joined Lanchester from Ryton in the Northumberland and Tyneside Cricket League, as the Batting all rounder joins the league and adds valuable batting and bowling to Lanchester.

Photo: Fusion Sports (Instagram)

Another overseas player has joined the league in the form of Waqas Maqsood, who has joined Newcastle City Cricket Club.

The former Pakistani International, who made his T20I debut for the nation against New Zealand in 2018, is no stranger to the league, having won the Premier League with Burnmoor just a couple of seasons ago. Maqsood, 38, has valuable experience in both First Class and white ball cricket in his native Pakistan, playing in the PSL for Karachi Kings, and his left arm fast will be very useful in a tricky Division One next season.

Two new sides to the league have also elevated their squads. Firstly, Alnmouth & Lesbury have added Laurie Robson to their ranks from Burnopfield. Robson, a wicket-keeping, middle-order batsman, made nearly 350 runs in the top flight last season and is a great addition to the newly promoted side.

Morpeth have been the busiest of all the promoted sides however, completing three signings since the season’s end. The club have signed brothers John and James Duncan from fellow Northumbrians, Backworth. Batting all-rounder John and wicket-keeping batsman James add great value to the squad, ahead of the club’s maiden season in the league.

The club have also completed an overseas signing, bringing young Australian Archie Flynn to the club. Flynn, who represented Victoria at Under 19 level, represents Ringwood in Grade cricket, and arrives as an exciting prospect.

On social media, the club commented: “Fresh of a title-winning season, we are excited to have Archie on board. Welcome to Morpeth, Archie!”