Captain James Keightley is hoping Teddington’s Middlesex County League Premier Division title triumph is just the beginning of a golden era in Richmond cricket.

Keightley’s men sealed a dramatic five-run triumph over Ealing in Bushy Park last Saturday to see them crowned champions for the first time since 2002.

Twickenham, their closest challengers, slumped to 69-run defeat at Stanmore to hand their near neighbours the title with one game to go.

Skipper Carlos Nunes’ men finished runners-up after beating Hampstead by 49-runs in a high scoring affair on the Green yesterday, while Teddington rounded off their campaign with a narrow 19-run defeat at Finchley.

Teddington and Richmond’s top three teams each play in their respective top divisions in the Middlesex County League set-up and Twickenham are set to the match that feat after a highly successful season for the club.

“It would be great to see a Teddington-Twickenham one and two,” said Keightley last week.

“Up until three or four weeks ago our seconds and thirds were top of their leagues too.

“It would be a real sign that cricket in the borough is in good health if Twickenham could get their other two teams up into the top divisions too.

“That would be great for people like Carlos Nunes and Dan Hough [Twickenham club secretary].

“It is the mark of a proper cricket club.”

Keightley and co left it late last week with Ealing reaching 144-8 as they chased a victory target of 164 that would have taken the title race down top the final weekend.

But David Keightley, the captain’s brother, and Josh Toyer combined to take the final two wickets to fall to spark scenes of celebration in Bushy Park.

“It was tense, but we have shown many times this season that we can pull results like that out of the bag in those situations,” he added.

“Twelve months ago we would have just rolled over.

“The fact we have not won it since 2002 and have been runners-up five times since then while Ealing have won it seven times, makes it so much sweeter.

“People like me, my brother, James Wade and Duncan Wood have all been part of those teams that have had to be the bridesmaids and never the brides, and it means a heck of a lot.

“People were doubting whether this group of players could win it.

“This was probably one of our last chances to do it before family commitments and things get in the way, so it was very, very pleasing personally and for the team.

“We make no qualms about the fact we recruit first team players from the City and Oxford University, so it was really nice some home grown players have actually got us over the line.”

For the Keightleys the title triumph has been a long time coming.And 31-year-old James admitted it was a proud moment to his younger sibling David, 23, claim the crucial wicket.

“My younger brother David took 5-32 on the day – including the final one to fall – and for me to be the captain too was special,” he said.

“All the usual suspects – Wade and Wood – have played well this year and David’s strike rate is as good as anyone’s in the league. 

“I’ve played for the club since I was seven years old and David was two when he first came down here.

“It is great that players who are Teddington through and through are there at the end. I’m so proud.”