Lancs and Somerset heading for title showdown

Results went pretty much the way of form this weekend as the Division Two Championship heads towards its closing matches of the season

Lancashire beat Devon by 8 wickets
Devon have been having a horrible season and it got worse against unbeaten Lancashire. Having won the toss Devon decided to bat, but within 28 overs they had been skittled out by Lancashire for just 69, mainly in the shape of opening bowlers Jasmine Titmuss who claimed 5/22, and Kathyrn Cross (3/29). Only three of the Devon batsmen made it into double figures (just). Lancashire made sure they picked up full points wrapping up victory in the 18th over for the loss of just two wickets (both claimed by Jessie Jones). Laura Marshall top scored with 34.

Somerset beat Wales by 9 wickets
Wales have had almost as torrid a time as Devon this year and Somerset duly dispatched them, despite the lack of Anya Shrubsole in their team. Having elected to bat Wales stumbled along to 151 before they were all out in the 41st over. There was only one real partnership of any note (65 runs) between Gwenan Davies (50) and Megan Burton (24). Gemma Mumby (21) also enjoyed herself at number 10. The reliable Bath duo of Sophie Le Marchand (79*) and Sophie Luff (39*) saw Somerset comfortably home in 36 overs.

Worcestershire beat Staffordshire by 7 wickets
Staffordshire were bundled out for 140 in just over 44 overs with Thea Brookes taking 3/34. West Indian import Shanel Daley was top scorer with 35. Brookes was an early casualty in Worcestershire's reply, but Naomi Heywood (59*) and Clare Boycott (37) took the Worcester total passed 100 and Heywood hung around to finish the job off in 34 overs with the loss of just three wickets.

Cheshire beat Durham by 104 runs
Neither team have been particularly adept at amassing big totals this season and Cheshire's innings of 198 all out, based around a fine opening partnership of 92 between Jenny Halstead (44) and Helen Smith (40), always looked to be too many for Durham. They made it to 60/3 but that soon became 67/9 as 14 year old left arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone got to work. She claimed 4/14 in a controlled spell of 10 overs which included six maidens - five of them on the trot. Only opener Laura Ellison (26) and number 11 Lynn McDonnell (15*) put up any real resistance as Durham were bowled out for 94.

It is difficult to see beyond Lancashire and Somerset for the Division Two title. Somerset only have Devon to play and a slip-up there seems unlikely. Lancashire have Durham and Ireland to play and would have to lose both games badly to be in any trouble. Ireland are still theoretically in the hunt and must play Staffs as well as Lancashire.
At the bottom its a dogfight between Durham, Wales and Devon for the last two spots. Durham still have three to play including potential clashes with Wales and Devon. Their destiny may be in their own hands.


The current Division Two table looks like this.

Division Two
Team	P	W	L	T	A	C	win points	bonus bat	bonus bowl	total points	avge points
Lancashire	6	6	0	0	0	0	60	19	24	103	17.17
Somerset	7	6	1	0	0	0	60	22	19	101	14.43
Ireland	6	4	2	0	0	0	40	18	18	76	12.67
Worcestershire	6	3	3	0	1	0	30	14	18	62	10.33
Cheshire	7	3	4	0	1	0	30	17	21	68	9.71
Staffordshire	7	3	4	0	0	0	30	17	14	61	8.71
Durham	5	1	4	0	0	0	10	7	16	33	6.60
Wales	6	1	5	0	0	0	10	16	13	39	6.50
Devon	6	1	5	0	0	0	10	15	13	38	6.33

MD
8/VII/13