The Premier League title was contested in a head to head match between VOC (Rotterdam) and VRA (Amstelveen), a match rescheduled after being abandoned earlier due to rain. It proved to be a real battle. After VOC made only 197/9 in their 55 overs, VRA looked to be heading for an easy victory at 116/2 after 36 overs. Bas Zuiderent (who moved from VOC to VRA this season) scored 63. Then things went astray for VRA. Being 165/4 after 44, they lost wickets quickly. 167/5 after 46, 185/6 after 49. VOC looked at the brink of bowling their way to victory. 186/7 next over, 189/8 after 52. VRA however didn't lose their nerve when the scores were level after 53 overs: VRA 197/9. The winning run was scored and VRA took the championship with 198/9. After VRA had been on the brink of relegation last season, it is a remarkable recovery, achieved to some extent by Zuiderent moving to Amstelveen, and the two New Zealand players Craig Cumming and former Test player Shane Thomson.

At the bottom of the table, relegation to the First Division was also decided in a direct confrontation, between Gandhi (Amsterdam) and VCC (Voorburg). Gandhi easily had the upper hand beating VCC by 5 wickets. Like last year, UD from Deventer won the First Division. Unlike last year, when they were beaten by Gandhi in a play-off for a place in the Premier League, they will return to the highest league next year at the expense of VCC, and with them the beautiful grass wickets at Deventer. The relegation of VCC creates some questions as to the captain of the Dutch XI, VCC player Tim de Leede. A captain from a First Division team is unikely.

Premier League 1998 Final Table
Premier League (Hoofdklasse) Results