Minor Counties Championship Round Up

Cambridgeshire and Devon shared in a record-breaking day of Minor Counties cricket.

Openers Simon Kellett (127 not out) and Nigel Gadsby (76 not out) put together a new record opening stand of 241 for Cambridgeshire against Suffolk at Saffron Walden, eclipsing the previous best of 229 between Gadsby and Richard Merriman against Cumberland in 1992.

Suffolk replied with 200 for four, and the two Cambridgeshire openers ended a prosperous day on 47 without loss off 11 overs in the second innings. Cheshire were on the wrong end of a blistering partnership by Devon at Bovey Tracey. Centurions Bobby Dawson (151) and Nick Folland (110) compiled a new Devon record second-wicket stand of 243 as Devon racked up a huge first innings total of 372 for five off 58 overs. It beat the 214 that Folland and Gareth Townsend had scored against Wiltshire three years ago, and Folland's 110 was the 20th championship century of his career.

A dispirited Cheshire were bowled out for just 106 in 53 overs. They were 38 for five at one stage but Chris Hall hit 29 and No.10 Charlie Lamb made 16 to allow them to limp into three figures. Devon enforced the follow-on and Cheshire closed still 250 runs in arrears on 16 without loss in their second innings.

Staffordshire's Minor Counties clash with Buckinghamshire was swallowed up by the weather at Cannock. Day two was washed out without a ball bowled, with the decision to abandon the game as a draw taken at 4.20pm.

Minor Counties Championship
Cannock: Bucks 206-6 & 12-0 Staffs 181-4. No play yesterday. Drawn. Staffs 4 Bucks 2
Saffron Walden: Cambs 241-0 (SA Kellett 127 not, NT Gadsby 76 not) & 47-0 Suffolk 200-4 (RJ Catley 52)
Bovey Tracey: Devon 372-5 (RI Dawson 151, NA Folland 110) Cheshire 106 & following on 16-0