Essex Crowned National Champions

Thursday 10th September saw the sun shining down on Scarborough CC where debutants Essex overcame the highly experienced outfit from Dyfed-Powys lead by BPCC Captain Mark Davies and included several representative players.

Davies won the toss and elected to bat on what appeared to be an excellent surface albeit a little slow. Huw Evans opened up and started to find the boundary with ease showing a full range of strokes whilst Phillips fell to a stunning catch in the gulley by roper off the bowling of Garnham. Whilst the score ticked along at 5 an over Essex remained steadfast and picked up wickets at regular intervals. The 15 over Power Play ended with Dyfed at 75-4 and Evans looking like he was set to play a long innings, however almost immediately after the drinks break he chipped one up to mid on for 58. The remainder of the innings never really got going although contributions from Gareth Hughes (31) and the tail got them up to 181 All Out in 44th over. Pick of the Essex bowling was Luke Gamman 3-39, Roper 2-26 and Garnham 2-28.

In reply Essex never appeared in any trouble even after the early dismissal of Jackson. Butcher (35) and Paul Gamman (46) kept Essex ahead of the run rate and survived a caught and bowled appeal which the umpires gave not out following a mid wicket consultation.

The telling contribution though came from Dave Newman who immediately found the boundary on regular occasions including a couple of huge sixes into the stands. He finished on 60* as Essex reached their target with 8 over's still to be bowled.

So Essex were crowned National Champions for the 1st time. Adrian Garnham collected the City of London Cup from Chairman ACC Patani whilst Dave Newman was presented with The Hugh Blenkin Man of the Match Trophy.