In the Second Division Northants are setting a strong pace with three wins out of four. The Wantage Road outfit suffered last day misery in 2009 when a victory for Essex at Derby denied them promotion in circumstances which had they occurred at Newmarket would have brought a stewards' enquiry. 2012 was their worst season since their relegation in 2004 and, if one ignores the boundary between the two divisions, their worst since 1978. With Crook, Willey and Copeland nearing 60 wickets between them they have maximum bowling points and after a drawn opening game in Cardiff three thumping wins see them 23 points clear of second place Lancashire. Perhaps the horrors of 26/9/09 will be laid to rest this year.
Relegated one season after being champions Lancashire will be desperate to 'do a Yorkshire' and return to first division cricket in 2014. If an ability to eke out victories from impossible situations is the passport back to Division One then who can doubt that they will succeed for their wins against Glamorgan and Essex have come by 14 runs and three wickets respectively with the latter achieved with a ball to spare. Equal on 44 points are Gloucestershire and Hampshire. Australian Michael Klinger, who was with Worcestershire last season, has two hundreds to his name and it may be that 'Glorse' may have more than a wooden spoon to show for this season's efforts. They have not played first division cricket since 2005. Hampshire finished fourth last year and would have hopes of improving on that but their only win this campaign was over strugglers Worcestershire.
Essex and Glamorgan have a win apiece and are separated by just two points but the Welsh side have a game in hand and they would have been third had they just scored 15 more runs at Colwyn Bay. The last three places are occupied by three winless sides, Leicestershire, Kent and Worcestershire. The Pears looked a very modest side when I saw them at Cardiff last month and there is a danger that they may lose their reputation as the 'yoyo' side of the championship simply by remaining in Division Two. I'm sure Steve Rhodes believes their position is a false one but we may have a better idea when they face Kent at Canterbury this weekend.
The forecast of sun and showers at Weetwood yesterday proved correct but did not deter a goodly gathering of pcws nor did it spoil an entertaining and high scoring match. Durham II brought a strong side and it was a third wicket partnership of 275 between Jennings and Richardson that saw them reach 296 for 3 off their 45 overs. The two South Africans each scored centuries as they had done against Notts II last week and although Richardson hasn't tasted championship action this season both will feel they deserve consideration for next week's Riverside meeting with Middlesex. Pleasingly Geoff Cook was there to watch.
Leeds/Bradford Universities were not daunted by such a large total and tucked into the opening attack of Claydon and Harrison. Some measure of control was restored by academy players, Max Morley and Josh Bousefield and Morley finished with 4 for 33 in the universities' total of 263 for 8. Morley is an interesting left arm spinner with a Huddersfield pedigree but who joined Durham last year. His surname was consistently spelt Morely on twitter yesterday but I have stuck with the handbook version.
It is a shocker in the Lower Ure Valley this morning and although there are a number of university matches scheduled in Leeds today it has not been difficult to decide to stay at home but tomorrow is a different matter. My Sussex supporting friends are at Derby and it would be nice to have a day there but racing at The Knavesmire is a counter attraction. Talk about swings and roundabouts for the train fare I save by not going to Derby may well end up lining the satchel of Honest Joe Johnson of Doncaster. Decisions, Decisions.
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