County Championship Round-up: Hampshire and Sussex secure titles

In the last of our County Championship Round-Up we discuss the deciding round of Royal London One Day Championships on Sunday there was all to play for. There were still positions to play for in both divisions.

In division two it was between Sussex and Surrey vying for top spot. The main intrigue was in division one three could still mathematically win the championship and three teams trying to stave off relegation as it meant every game had some significance.

 

Division One

Hampshire v Middlesex

Hampshire knew that a win with full points would secure them the title. Middlesex, on the other hand, knew defeat and other results going against them they could be relegated. With that in mind Middlesex having won the toss put their hosts into bat.

Hampshire on more than one occasion this season have found themselves in some difficult situations. It is a sign of just how good they have been that they have still been able to win most of their games. They did the same in this game as at 66 for 4 Middlesex would have felt on top. That was before Ella Chandler with 56 and Fi Morris with 45 added 104 for the fifth wicket.

Emma Albery was the pick of the Middlesex bowlers with 3 for 33, but Hampshire still managed 210 for 7. It was always going to be difficult for Middlesex as like Hampshire they found themselves 66 for 4. Katie George and Suzie Bates gave little away with the ball as the run-rate continued to rise.

Beth Morgan, Fran Wilson and Maia Bouchier were the only Middlesex players to score over 20 as Middlesex were bowled out for 144. It was a result gave Hampshire the County Championship title and relegated Middlesex as well.

Lancashire v Warwickshire

Warwickshire pulled off an 84 run victory that pulled them out of the relegation zone and relegated Middlesex at the same time.

Batting first Warwickshire posted 205 all out. Fifties from Sophie Devine (50) and Marie Kelly (64) helped Warwickshire post a competitive total. Emma Lamb was the pick of the bowlers with 4 for 39.

Lamb then top-scored for Lancashire with 33. The Warwickshire bowlers Joanne Gardner, Georgia Davis, Anisha Patel and Jenny Gunn took two wickets as last years champions were bowled out for 121. It was a much-needed win for Warwickshire and lifted them out of trouble.

Kent v Somerset

Somerset who were already relegated secured a consolation win against Kent. Bowling first Somerset bowled out Kent for 126 at Canterbury. Tash Farrant top scored with 29.

Somerset knocked off the total with relative ease as the won with 12.5 overs to spare. An innings of 76 not out from Sophie Luff was enough to win it for the West country side.

Division Two

Sussex v Berkshire

Sussex secured the division two title to make it an imidate return to division one with a win over the other side relegated last year.

Without any of the England players available it was down to the younger players to make an impact. Tara Norris and Chiara Green took three wickets each and Freya Davies and Linsey Smith with two wickets apiece was enough for Sussex to bowl Berkshire out for 94, Phoebe Graham top scored with 29.

Sussex needed just over half of their overs to win by 7 wickets Gree again in the action with the top score of 32.

Surrey v Essex

A Sterre Kalis 75 was not enough for Essex to beat Surrey. Surrey won by 8 wickets as an all-round performance from Bryony Smith was enough to ensure that Surrey finished in second place.

First Smith took 5 for 33 to leave Essex 184 for 9 after their allotted overs. Then Smith scored 119 not out from 115 balls as she shared in a partnership of 170 with Eva Gray. Essex thought that had a chance when they had reduced Surrey to 16 for 2. Surrey will play in division one next season and have the team that will be competitive next season.

Derbyshire v Northamptonshire

Derbyshire won the game between the two relegated sides by 53 runs against Northamptonshire. An innings of 108 from Bess Heath for Derbyshire propelled her side to 208 for 7 from their 50 overs. There were three run outs in the Northamptonshire innings as Northamptonshire were bowled out for 155.

Sarah Glenn with 3 for 25 was the pick of the Derbyshire as Northamptonshire failed to chase down the target.

Wales v Devon

A close game saw Wales win by two wickets with two balls to spare.  Georgia Hennessy scored 58 for Devon, as they managed a score of 178 for 9. Gabby Basketter with 3 for 13 and 3 for 28 from Ffion Wynne were the best of the Wales bowlers.

At 94 for 6 it looked as if Wales were not going to win. Claire Nicholas and Lydia Clements turned the game with a partnership of 65 to take it right down to the last over. Even 4 for 22 from Hazelle Garton could not help Devon win the game.