Worcestershire Royals push Dragons all the way

Worcestershire Royals pushed Glamorgan Dragons all the way for the 2002 Norwich Union league title, but when Glamorgan Dragons won at Canterbury, the Royal challenge ended. Nevertheless, they won their match against Nottinghamshire Outlaws with some ease and by 81 runs at Trent Bridge.

Sixties from David Leatherdale and Ben Smith crowned a solid team batting performance by the Royals, despite Cornishman Charles Shreck taking five for 35 from his nine overs. The Outlaws needed 252 to win, but were never up with the rate and only Jason Gallian with 47 played an innings of substance. Gareth Batty took four wickets.

The big match in Division Two was between Northamptonshire Steelbacks and Essex Eagles. It was a game that effectively decided the last promotion place and it went the way of the Eagles by 42 runs. Will Jefferson hit 102 for the Eagles, with solid support all down the order, especially from Aftab Habib with 46. Despite a brace of 54s from Tony Penberthy and Gerard Brophy, the Steelbacks were always in trouble and were all out without using their full allocation of overs.

Lancashire Lightning beat Middlesex Crusaders by six wickets. This was despite the fact that there was an unbeaten sixth wicket partnership of 142 for the Crusaders. The years rolled back with the names of Compton and Hutton batting together, but this was Nick with 86 and Ben with 71. (For the benefit of younger readers, their grandfathers Denis and Len could bat a bit too in their day!). Mark Chilton scored 84 not out for the Lightning and Chris Schofield chipped in with a fifty.

Derbyshire Scorpions beat Sussex Sharks by 74 runs at Hove. Chris Bassano led the Scorpions' scorers with 55, there were four wickets for Billy Taylor, but the Sharks' batting was found wanting.