National Championships Round 3 Summary

The 5th match was in Group 2 between West Yorkshire and Humberside at Cleckheaton CC which was abandoned just into the start of the Humberside reply with the score on 5-1.

Prior to the rains arriving West Yorkshire had amassed 289 - 3 in 44 overs with E.Walmsley 152 and E. Austin 104* which featured a 3rd wicket partnership of 248. Walmsley’s onslaught ended having taken 32 from Freemans 7th over. For Humberside Gayle ended with 3-47 off 7.

The final fixture between Northumbria and Humberside will now decide which Force will proceed into the semi finals.

In Group 1 Devon & Cornwall hosted North Wales who batted first and finished on 172 all out (Will Evans 62). For D&C M. Brown 5 - 29 and Jarman 2 - 18 were the pick of the bowlers

In reply N. Wales made early inroads with Jones 2-14 and Anderson 2-20 leaving the hosts spluttering to 50 - 5 however Temple-Smith (45) and Heather (43*) steadied the ship and saw them to victory by 3 wickets

The other Group 1 fixture saw South Wales & Gwent entertain Dyfed-Powys at Malpas CC. The hosts won the toss and had no hesitation in asking DP to bat first and proceeded to bundle them out for 83 in 27.4 overs with only H. Evans reaching 20. Most the damage was inflicted by M. Samuel who took 4 - 16 off 6 overs.

In reply SWG cruised home, knocking off the runs in16.5 overs with Samuel completing an excellent all round performance with 45*

This result has left D&C top of the Group albeit on the same points (6) as DPP but with a slightly superior run rate. The group remains wide open with Gloucs / Wilts & SWG both on 3 points but have played 1 game less than the top 2.

All matches in Group 3 were postponed due to a Regional Mutual Aid response in place. There will be some catching up to do now that PSNI have had some more relaxation of covid restrictions.

In Group 4 MetCity hosted leaders Kent who were restricted to 152 - 9 (45 overs) with S. Drakeley continuing his good form at the top of the order with 38 and D. Roffey 31. Pick of the MetCity bowling was S. Packer 4 - 22.

In reply MetCity had reached 118-3 in the 34th over with contributions from P.Gray 38, N.Jackson 34 and M.Alldis 30. The following 11 overs saw 7 wickets fall for 30 runs as Kent scraped home by 9 runs thanks to J. Boyden 4 - 19, S. Drakeley 2 - 28 & S.Williams 2 - 16.

The other Group 4 fixtures saw Essex play Hampshire at Elmstead CC.Hamshire batted first reaching 182 all out with J. Metcalfe 44 and J. Headen 38. C. Roper 5 - 41 was the pick of the Essex bowling.

In reply an opening partnership of 109 between H. Brisland & D. Jackson in 17 overs put paid any Hampshire fightback. Brisland fell for 68 but Jackson continued his rich vein of form and ended up 99* as his attempt to reach a century fell a few feet short of the boundary.

Kent remain to the Group on 9 points from their 3 matches whilst Essex go send with 6 points from 2 matches. The outcome of the group could well be decided on the Final round of fixtures when Kent will host Essex.