With Yorkshire already crowned and Northamptonshire seemingly relegated since June, the big issue in Division One was which of the protagonists at Old Trafford would join the latter through the trap door. Lancashire threw everything at them, but Middlesex succeeded in avoiding defeat by batting out the final day, consigning the Red Roses to the second tier again in 2015. Sam Robson top-scored with 75, his highest score for months.
Going the other way are Hampshire. They not only fended off an impressive second half comeback by Essex, who won six of their last seven matches, but also overtook Worcestershire to become Second Division champions. At Chelmsford, Worcester were completely blown away first by Jesse Ryder and then Graham Napier with the ball. Nick Browne's 118 and 120 not out from Ryder (again) set up a huge first innings lead, which not even Moeen Ali could wipe out. In just about any other season, Essex's 227 points would have guaranteed promotion but the big two had been too consistent earlier in the summer.
Hampshire made short work of Glamorgan in Cardiff inside three days. James Vince finished an excellent season with another 192 runs, although James Tomlinson's 6-48 proved decisive at the end. Pity poor James Allenby who, not for the first time, carried the Welsh side and claimed ten wickets yet his side finished second from bottom. Only Leicestershire sat below them, suffering the ignominous fate of registering no wins for the second consecutive season. They lost to Derbyshire by a humbling 408 runs and now stand to lose some of their best players. Perhaps a friendly Sheikh or Russian oligarch can do a Chelsea or Man City and rebuild the county? Not sure what else can revive their fortunes. In 22 games Derby opener hadn't reached three figures; in one match versus Leicester, he does it twice! Cheteshwar Pujara was also allowed to reach a first Championship century before the second innings declaration, and Mark Footitt took his season's wicket tally to 84. They finished a creditable fourth ahead of superflops Surrey. Ha-ha!
The final Division Two fixture was a resounding Gloucestershire victory against Kent at Canterbury, although the latter were already assured of at least sixth place. Alex Gidman was once more in the runs while Liam Norwell and Tom Smith polished off the home side on the final morning.
In the top tier, Yorkshire very nearly overturned a first innings deficit to win their last match, against Somerset. Nick Compton's 156 and eleven wickets for Peter Trego should have been enough to generate victory and a fourth place finish for the cidermen. In the event, Jamie Overton and Alfonso Thomas had to cling on against Sidebottom and Rashid for the draw, Somerset's tenth of the campaign!
Warwickshire are 2014 runners-up following an innings defeat of Durham, revenge of sorts for the Cup Final result the previous weekend. Centuries by Chopra and Trott, along with Keith Barker' eight wickets, proved too much for last year's champions. However, Chris Rushworth achieved his third successive six-for. Like Leicestershire, Northants ended the Championship campaign win-less. Sussex dominated the match at Wantage Road, with Luke Wells in particular enjoying himself with scores of 81 and 162. At least Rob Keogh struck 129 and Azharullah signed off with a second innings 7-76, rare highlights in another second-class display.
So that's it. Another county season bites the dust. Perhaps not a vintage one, but there were some memorable performances to savour, with young players coming through, veterans proving they still have what it takes, and controversies to the end with the Gale-Prince spat. Why unleashing a four-letter tirade is fine but adding the word Kolpaker is not, is beyond me!
I'll write a review of the season and its star performers in the next week. In the mean time, here is my final Team of the Week:-
Wells (Sus), Slater (Der), Compton (Som), Vince (Ham), Ryder (Ess), Blizzard (Hobart), Allenby (Gla *), Trego (Som), Rossington (Nth +), Azharullah (Nth), Narine (KKR).
