So the final game was the basement battle, Metro traveling to Northants, and the loser would prop the table up.

Northants batted and mustered a respectable 143 all out. Metro faltered and fell short at 124 all out. So Metro finished last, they will of course take their Cup victory as solace, but remarkable none the less.

So here is how it finished –

Winners – South Wales Dragons

Played 9 won 3 drew 6 123 points

Cruel victims of the weather early, but consistent when they took to the field, unbeaten and worthy champions, congratulations!

2^nd Warks Bears

Played 9 Won 3 Drew 5 lost 1 112 points

Another strong season for the Bears, the reversal at Dragons cost the title, but formidable opponents always

3^rd London Sports

Played 9 won 3 drew 4 lost 2 109 points

What a revelation London were this season, after stuffing Sussex on Day 1 they went on to show they were true contenders, 30 more runs in their last game against Dragons and they would have nicked it, I am sure the Essex lads are rightfully proud of their season.

4^th Sussex Sharks

Played 9 won 3 drew 4 lost 2 108 points

The Sharks again showed some real promise and their out cricket was as good as anyone. The batsmen didn’t have such a great season until the last game, if it all clicks next season who knows?

5^th Birmingham

Played 8 Won 2 Drew 2 Lost 4 77 points

Left it till the 2^nd half of the season, but came good. Excellent fielding side with lots of potential another batsan and could push for honours next year

6^th Northants

Played 8 won 3 lost 5 64 points

They were good or bad, never in between. Played all 8 so lucky with the weather. Good wins against London, Metro and a miracle escape against Birmingham, all bode well for next year.

7^th Metro

Played 8 Won 2 drew 1 lost 5 61 points

A season they will probably want to forget, but the second half of the season saw them blood new young players and this should stand them in good stead for next year,

It has been a great season despite the awful weather, with 4 teams in the hunt for the title and it could have gone any way.

In Sussex on Saturday London arrived with both sides knowing that a win was needed to keep pace with the leaders. London asked Sussex to bat and bat they did, declaring at the end of the 28^th on 234 for 5.  John “the frenchman” Garbett gave the innings early impetus with a quick 30, then England duo Dave Allen (42) and Dan Field (70) shared a 4^th wicket of 107 to take the Sharks into a commanding position.

Things looked promising when Shazad Iqbal went to a sharp catch from Miles Northwood in the 1^st Over. Instead this saw the arrival of Shakir Iqbal Snr who hit a magnificent 75 to form the spine of Londons innings, he was ably supported by Ali Safder (28) and Shah Miah (39*) who ensured a cast iron draw.

Sussex 234/5 12 points Drew with London 181/5 11 Points

On the other games I have scant details, but crucial in the context of the title race.

 Dragons v Warks

Warks 105 all out

Dragons 106 for 3

Dragons 20 points Warks 3 points

And on Sunday in a game shortened to 40 overs after a train delay

Warks v London

London 185 for 5 dec off 27 overs

Warks 75 for 6 off 13

Warks 9 points London 11 points

So the Table

1 Dragons 110 points

2 London 102 points

3 Sussex and Warks 98 points

A little appetizer that proves the form book means nothing. Last weekend Birmingham romped to 2 massive victories. Saturday saw them skittle   Metro for just 69 the wickets shared amongst 6 bowlers. Birmingham knocjed them off for the loss of only 2 wickets so Birmingham 20 Metro 1.

 
This obviously left the Midlanders with plenty in the tank for Sunday when records tumbled. Birmingham ammased 320 for 3 in 29 overs (a BCEW record) the lions share a knock of 161 not out by Luke Darnell (another BCEW record). In reply Northants crashed to a BCEW low of just 23 all out. L Mulliss led the attack with 4 wickets and Jack Kirkby with 2 had it all wrapped up in 5.5 overs. Birmingham 20 points Northants 1.

 
Dragons v Sussex. Rained off.

So the table reads –

1^st Warks 90 points from 6 games

2^nd Dragons 90 points from 7 games

3^rd Sussex 86 points from 7 games

4^th London 76 points from 6 games

5^th Birmingham 76 points

6^th Metro 56 points

7^th Northants 47 points

Northants 90 all out
John Garbett led the attack with 4 wickets
Sussex 91 for 1
Sussex 20 points Northants 1 point

 Warwickshire 258 for 4 dec
Dragons 130 for 4 in reply
Warks 11 points Dragons 10 points

So table and remaining fixtures
1 Sussex 76 points from 6
2 London 73 from 5
3 Warks 71 from 5
4 Dragons 70 from 5
5 Northants 46 from 6
6 Metro 35 from 5
7 Birmingham 23 from 4

Metro 145 all out
London Sports 146 for 5
Metro 4 points London 20 points 

Sussex 111 all out
Warks 112 for 3
6 wickets and 60 not out from Andy Powers 

The table
1 London 73 points from 5 games
2 Dragons and Warks 60 points from 4 games
4 Sussex 56 points from 5 games
5 Northants 45 points from 5 games
6 Metro 35 points from 5 games
7 Birmingham 23 points from 4 games

LONDON SPORTS WON BY 94 RUNS

METRO WON BY 190 RUNS