Willerton spell puts Lincoln into final

LINCOLNSHIRE director of cricket Mark Fell thought his side had blown their chance of the Unicorns Eastern Division title in the final game before a magic spell from Alex Willerton.

He took 4-31 in STAFFORDSHIRE’S second innings as they were dismissed for 170, before Lincolnshire smashed 207-2 off 31.3 overs to claim the title on run rate.

Conrad Louth struck 112 not out off 73 balls for Lincolnshire as their 23-point victory put them level with NORTHUMBERLAND.

“After the first innings I honestly thought we had no chance of a result,” said Fell. “But we had one spell when Alex blew their top-order away, then after that it wasn’t a problem.

“It’s always a tricky chase, 200, but the lads batted incredibly well. Conrad was unbelievable.

“We asked at least one player to go out there and take the game to them, and that is exactly what he did. He got to 90-odd in about 50 or 60 balls. It was a magnificent effort.”

The division win is Lincolnshire’s first in 13 years after Northumberland managed only 21 points from their two-wicket win over CAMBRIDGESHIRE.

After conceding a 32-run first-innings lead, Northumberland needed 281 for victory – which they managed thanks to captain Jacques du Toit (85) and Sean Tindale (54no) – but it wasn’t enough.

BERKSHIRE will meet Lincolnshire in the Unicorns Championship final at Wormsley, starting on Sunday week after Tom Nugent’s 7-40 paved the way for a comfortable victory over DORSET.

For the visitors only Masoor Khan (45) reached double figures in a total of 96. And when Berkshire set them 412 to win, they were bowled out for just 84 with Oli Wilkin taking 4-16.

“We want to win the whole thing,” said skipper James Morris.“We’ve been easily the best in this division, now we want to be the best of all the minor counties.”

With title rivals SHROPSHIRE deducted 24 points for fielding an ineligible player, their loss to WILTSHIREwas inconsequential as CORNWALL finished second after losing to DEVON.