Choosing to bat first on a good batting strip, Minor Counties scored a competitive 242-9 in their 50 overs.

Dawson fell early, but Dobson and Nagra proceeded steadily, adding 53 for the second wicket before Dobson flicked one to square leg. Lowe was dismissed without scoring and Nagra was stumped soon after. Stephens, promoted in the batting order, dug in to score a well earned 45 and added 72 with Naylor, who also batted responsibly, for the 5th wicket.

The ninth wicket fell with the score on 217. Blanchett with 2 overs left to him, hit 24 not out, mainly with powerful straight drives, including one towering 6.

Blanchett, bowling with good pace and direction, picked up two early wickets before a third wicket stand of 97 between Cassar and Brophy took the score to 127-3 off 30.1 overs.

Cassar and White took the total to 181 in 40 overs before Cassar fell to a stunning mid-wicket diving catch by Blanchett off Naylor for 97 with the score on 214.

Two further victims for Naylor and Northants were left requiring 12 runs off 8 balls.

In a tense finish with 9 runs to win off the last over, Northants got the single they needed off the last ball of the match.

Minor Counties, without their ECB players, had put on an excellent performance and but for a couple of dropped catches, which marred an otherwise excellent fielding performance, would in all probability have won this match.

© MCCA