The first of a series of national competition cup finals took place this week in the shape of the county second XI T20 semi-finals and final played as usual at Arundel Castle in Sussex. Some rather strange scores saw Glamorgan (204-4) beat Notts (99 all out) in the first semi-final. The Australian batsman Nick Selman made 115 not out, thus beating Notts on his own, despite the presence of first team openers Nash and Slater.
Hampshire then bowled a strong looking Durham side all out for 93 and won by five wickets in the second semi-final. The final was a low scoring affair and won in dramatic circumstances by Glamorgan by just one run. Billy Root was the top batsman with 49 not out, but remember the name of 19 year old pace bowler Kazi Szymanski who played a major part in Glamorgan's victory. Surprisingly not another overseas player as he comes from Torquay.
The county second XI one day trophy final had already taken place at the end of June when Kent beat Durham in the final (at Beckenham) thanks to a century from Alex Blake. The county second XI championship is a little more complicated as the Northern group winners play the Southern group winners in a three day final commencing on 3rd September. Again the rain had a say when Leicester managed to hold out for a draw against Lancashire (who had the upper hand throughout) at Kibworth to clinch the Northern group. They will now play Hampshire at a venue to be decided. Possibly done by the toss of a coin, but my money would be on somewhere in Hampshire.
The county under 17s final this year will be played over three days commencing Tuesday 27th August between Cheshire and Surrey at surprise, surprise - Arundel Castle yet again! Cheshire were a little fortunate with the weather which deprived Lancashire or Yorkshire from possibly winning the Northern title. Whichever team had won through would have faced a daunting journey almost as far south as one can get.
Now for the Minor Counties one day trophy competition where yet again the weather had a big say in proceedings. Cumberland's semi-final with Staffordshire was scheduled for Carlisle cricket club last Sunday but due to the railway being flooded and Carlisle being virtually cut off, a bowl out was arranged at Penrith cricket club which Cumberland won 3-0. This reminds me of the famous occasion some years ago when the final of the Tilcon Trophy at the Harrogate festival was decided on a bowl out where all eleven players of both sides missed the stumps and they had to go round a second time to get a decision. However now Cumberland will face the favourites Berkshire at the Paul Getty ground in Wormsley, Buckinghamshire. Yet another long journey for the Cumbrians.
After all this it is some consolation to know that at least the final of the Headingley Evening League will not be played in the south of England. After this week's semi-finals New Rover will play Yeadon on a date and at a venue to be announced.
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