2022's National Championship got off to a strong start on 4th April with some great performances across the board. It was also fitting that all games saw a minute's applause prior to start of play to remember Simon Cole:
Group 1
South Wales & Gwent (151/3) beat North Wales (150 all out) by 7 wickets.
Will Evans scored 46 for North Wales but strong bowling from Mike Harling (7 overs, 3 for 58) and Mitch Harris (6.2 Overs, 3 maidens, 3 for 10) kept the visitors under wraps. 61 not out from the SW&G skipper Mick Martin and 43 from Sam Mogford saw the hosts home.
Gloucestershire & Wiltshire (219/7) beat Devon & Cornwall (215/8) by 3 wickets.
The other game in group one was a more closely contested affair. Devon & Cornwall won the toss and elected to bat first where 57 from I. Jarman and 42 from S. Tangye set G&W an imposing target. In response, 49 from J. Price and 45 from R. Bryant saw G&W over the line, despite the bowling efforts of W. Heather (9 overs, 4 maidens, 3 for 30)
Group 2
West Yorkshire (223/9) beat Northumbria & Durham (94 all out) by 129 runs
In arguably the biggest mismatch of the day, West Yorkshire put in a dominant performance against Northumbria & Durham (commonly going by Dumbria). Batting first, 104 from E. Walmsley and 64 from I. Mirzar racked up the runs before J. Thackray (7 overs, 1 maiden, 3 for 18) and E. Walmsley (6 overs, 2 maidens, 4 for 14) completed a fantastic all-round display and made quick work of the Dumbria batsmen.
PSNI (277/7) beat Humberside (270/6) by 7 runs
On the other side of the group, the closest match of the day was contested down to the last ball. PSNI batted first and notable innings from S. Campbell (84) and T. Stewart (87) got them to the highest total of the day. Humberside fought hard right until the end but 66 from D. Stockwell, 39 from L. Redmond and even 100 not out from N. Saltmer wasn't enough to get the win - PSNI's bowling attack just about getting the rub of the green with S. Campbell having a 'my bat, my ball' kind of day with figures of 8 overs, 3 for 48
Group 3
West Midlands Alliance (127/4) beat Staffordshire (122 all out) by 6 wickets
A relatively low-scoring affair, Staffordshire bat first and couldn't get going against the strong bowling attack of the WMA. Bowling first, W. Maund got the first 5-for of the year and ended with figures of 6 overs, 1 maiden, 5 for 20. Staffordshire's J. Khan got 35 to help them reach their total which was knocked off relatively comfortably.
East Midlands Alliance (183/1) vs Warwickshire abandoned
East Midlands Alliance bat first and got off to a roaring start with Sanderson reaching 77 before getting out and Line (46 not out) and Morrell (40 not out) keeping the pace going before a freak rainstorm in the 22nd over washed the game out!
Group 4
Kent (158/2) beat Hampshire (154 all out) by 8 wickets
Batting first, Hampshire stuttered their way to 154 with opener J. Headon topping the scores with 42. In reply, Kent calmly made their way to victory with the aid of 54 not out from opener L. Milroy
Hertfordshire & Cambridgeshire conceded to Essex
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