The county cricket season ended yesterday with something of a whimper for all issues had been settled by Thursday but spectators who chose the right place to be, if they had any choice, saw some good cricket and a lovely afternoon will have left a rosy glow and the feeling that perhaps cricket played in the last week of September isn't too bad after all.
At Hove, Durham, after five successive wins were beaten by Sussex, the Martlets first win at their HQ this season. I followed the commentary on 5 Live Extra and it sounded as though it was a lovely day to be watching cricket by the sea. Yorkshire followers may reflect that had such conditions prevailed two weeks ago they might have pressed a little closer for the title. Meanwhile at The Oval a Gary Ballance century prevented bottom club Surrey from recording their second win of the campaign. Brian has described the double century of young Sibley. Will this mark a change in policy by the brown caps with more young products given opportunities or will they feel the key to a prompt return to Div 1 lies in the signing of more 'galacticos' ?
Derbyshire's relegation having been confirmed on Thursday Somerset and Notts could breathe easily at Trent Bridge although the fourth day allowed Trescothick to record another low score in what has been a poor season for him but it also gave him the chance to pull rank and keep wicket while Keiswetter had a bowl. What Buttler thought of this is not known but Somerset have confirmed that he is leaving Taunton and Warwickshire are understood to be competing for his signature with Lancashire. It seems to have been fashionable for wicketkeepers to bowl yesterday for I note that Mustard took a wicket for Durham
In Div 2 the most fun was to be had at Canterbury where Kent successfully chased over 400 and thanks largely to Darren Stevens got home by two wickets. It must have been reassuring at squeaky bum time to see Robert Key enter at the fall of the eighth wicket.
Brian and I have described our day out in the Huddersfield Central League last Sunday but the NYSD also did not complete its programme until last weekend. On Saturday Richmondshire duly wrapped up their second successive title leaving Darlington, as in 2012, runners up. The Dalesmen set a new record for total points as skipper Gary Pratt hit 80 not out in a ten wicket win over Stokesley. his innings which included three sixes took him past 2000 runs for the season over 1500 of which have come in the league.
Promotion from Division 1 produced the excitement of the day as Seaton Carew's win over Maltby allowed them to slip past Bishop Auckland and thus accompany Marske in to the Premier Division. This will be Seaton's first experience of the top flight and it will give them the opportunity to entertain Hartlepool CC in a local derby.
As I type this (11:00, Saturday morning) early morning cloud is clearing from the Lower Ure Valley which suggests a pleasant afternoon at Arthington where the Hawks are the visitors for a 1:30 start. Highly recommended for those reluctant to let go of summer just yet.
Pcws at Arthington in 2011
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