Denmark: Svanholm's and Herning's Big Bang

The final round of matches before the summer recess and international matches was highlighted by the "Big Bang". The meeting between Svanholm and Herning. Svanholm won last year's Championship by the smallest margin ever - 35 runs. There was therefore great expectations for Herning's possibilities of going in front. It was the best chance they could get as Svanholm had to play Esbjerg on the Saturday. This match was a cliffhanger with Esbjerg surprisingly scraping a victory in the last over by two wickets. A victory by Herning at home on the Sunday would give them a two match advantage over Svanholm.

The Big Bang sizzled out to a fizz. Svanholm had the best of conditions on Herning's small and heavy ground grafting they way to 183 for 8 thanks to captain Søren Henriksen. Herning's batting failed in trying to keep the run rate up and last weeks savior Morten "Botham" Hedegaard couldn't do it two weeks in a row even though he tried. Svanholm's Martin Jensen bowled really well managing to get the ball to rear up several times. It is a shame for Denmark that he is suffering with imflammatory problems in his shins and is unable to take part in the European Championships.

Skanderborg kept their medal chances alive by beating Nørrebro, who after a flying start have completely slumped. Nørrebro lost on the Saturday to Ålborg Chang who got their first win of the season. The battle at the bottom is now a fight between Chang, Glostrup, Nørrebro, KB and Esbjerg.

The play off places are now finalised. Husum won all their nine matches and are favorites to win outright promotion. Svanholm seconds are surprislingly second as last year they only just avoided relegation. Again Fredericia have done well to get to the promotion play-offs as well as Ishøj and Albertslund. The playoffs for relegation are very harsh as only one team can outrught avoid relegation. The bottom two teams go out direct while the two next team have a play off agianst the the winners of the two second divisions. Kerteminde and Ringsted look favorites for direct relegation while århus and Køge are set for further playoffs. Nykøbing Mors hang on to the First Division in sixth place.

At the moment Denmark are visited by the MCC under the leadership of Mike Stear. MCC play three matches. The first against the Danish Under-23 side wash washed out by rain and we hope thet the two matches against Denmark go ahaed despite forecasts for showers. These two matches are part of Denmarks preparations for the Eurpean Championships in Scotland. Denmark play two further matches in England begore leaving for bonny Scotland. The weather there hasn't been very good lately either.