TThe Derbyshire County League batted first and made a modest start. After three wickets had fallen for 40 runs Steve Brown livened up the proceedings with a bright knock of 47 which included seven fours. Gary Smith weighed in with a brisk 28, which included two sixes and the side were bowled out in 43.3 overs.

Best bowling for the Notts Premier League was by John Shaw who took 4--54, with Jason Gorman and Paul Mc Mahon taking two wickets each.

When the Notts Premier side went in they lost two early wickets to Spondon captain Paul Cook, but Mark Dale dug in until he was out to Ben Sarton for 33. Then the rain came and it became heavy enough to cause the players to go off.

This almost brought about a dramatic end to the game because the rules of the competition state that 20 overs constitute a game and if it cannot be completed after this point the result will be determined by the average run rate per over. At that stage Notts were behind the Derbyshire run rate. However the rain eased and the players went back with a clear knowledge of what was needed to raise the run rate.

Noel Gie and Mick Blatherwick were the ideal partners to cope with this situation and they hit out to good effect. Gie was 33 not out and Blatherwick was 36 not out when play was halted after 27 overs. So the Notts Premier League won by a faster run rate. At that point they had reached 139-3.

In the next round the Notts Premier League play the Derbyshire Premier League at Alvaston & Boulton CC on Sunday July 21st, a repeat of last year’s Final.