In contrast, the C & G  Final promised more than it delivered as Gloucester coasted home in a disappointing match because Worcester never really came to the party.   The neutrals all hoped that Graham Hick would light up Lord’s with one of his dazzling centuries, but he didn’t get off the mark and his side never came out of the blocks.
I must make special mention of my old team Lancashire.  To finish second in the championship and top the National League Division 2 was a great effort by the lads.  The big disappointment was that they threw away a great position in the semi-final of the C & G.
Full marks also to Sussex, the 50-1 outsiders nobody tipped at the start of the summer, who came through to claim the championship.
Sussex were inspired by Mushtaq Ahmed, the spinner who took more than 100 wickets for a team admirably coached by Peter Moores and captained by Chris Adams.   The win will be good for the game because it breaks up Surrey’s dominance.   Another team coming through and winning something is always a bonus.