At a sun-drenched Queen's Park, Clifton skipper Simon Moore won the all-important toss, and not surprisingly, asked Quarndon to bat. With temperatures predicted to reach the high 20s, winning the toss was vital with a hint of early morning moisture remaining in the pitch.

The Clifton bowlers utilised the conditions well, and the bowlers received top-class support from the fielders. Simon Moore and Li Ali opened the bowling and soon tied Quarndon down. Only 23 runs came from the first ten overs as the opening batsmen Steve Hollis and Adrian Marsh fought to put on a good opening partnership.

Clifton skipper Simon Moore bowls to Steve Hollis

With 15 overs gone, the score had crawled to 45 when Steve Hollis (17) was trapped leg before to Aqib Afzaal who had replaced Moore. Marsh went one run later, brilliantly caught by Ali off Afzaal in front of the scoreboard for 21. On 54, Afzaal claimed his third victim when he had Siddall leg before for 3.

Williamson was next to fall, needlessly run out for 6 in the 26th over and Quarndon were in deep trouble with only 71 on the board. Things went from bad to worse with another run out with the score on 86. This time, it was the luckless Goodwin who fell to a brilliant piece of improvisation from keeper Karl Krikken.

The former Derbyshire keeper demonstrated what a top class player he is when Gary Myers padded the ball onto the legside. Krikken ran from behind the stumps and threw the ball to bowler Ant Botha, who ran out Goodwin backing up.

Gary Myers in action watched by Karl Krikken

Krikken showed his brilliance yet again with the score on 103 when he spectacularly caught Duncan Player (5) diving full length backwards. 103 for 6.

South African Gary Myers moved steadily into his forties as the Quarndon score inching forwards at 2.5 runs an over. The crowd of almost 500 were already sensing that this was not enough and that Clifton were long odds on to achieve the double after only a couple of seasons in the Premier.

Ali added further to Quarndon's worries with a double wicket maiden which left them struggling on 117 for 8. First to fall was Gary Myers, brilliantly caught by fellow countryman Botha. Quarndon skipper Mark Tournier fell three balls later without scoring.

Chapman (11) offered a simple catch to Moore in the slips, and when Chris Lewis clean bowled last man Kev Hollis, Quarndon were all out for a meagre 137.

In reply, Tournier and Myers opened the bowling for Quarndon and soon had Clifton in trouble when Moore was run out for 6. Clifton were in further trouble when they lost Kamran Afzaal for 8, caught behind by Kev Hollis. Clifton were tottering on 15 for 2.

Krikken and Botha then batted sensibly to steady the ship and the pair put on 24 runs before Duncan Player had Krikken leg before for 13. Botha continued to bat sensibly, but fell in the 23rd over to a superb one-handed catch behind the stumps.

Chris Lewis in action

Aqib Afzaal receives his man of the match award

This brought together Aqib Afzaal and Chris Lewis who kept their heads well as the Quarndon fielders made many errors. Afzaal, following up his three wickets, top scored with 43 and Chris Lewis knocked up a rapid 32 to steer Clifton to a memorable victory in a far from memorable final.

Aqib Afzaal was judged man of the match for his fine all round performance. Simon Moore was left to raise Clifton's second trophy in a campaign that will be remembered for many a while.

Clifton Cricket Club - Derbyshire Building Society Premier Cup winners 2003

The full match scorecard can be found on the official Cup site here