Winner takes all in Roses decider

Darren Gough bows out at the end of 2008 and will be desperate to win silverware

The final round of Friends Provident Trophy matches throws up a derby encounter with more than just local bragging rights at stake.

Yorkshire Carnegie and Lancashire Lightning contest their Roses encounter at Headingley Carnegie, knowing a win would send the other crashing out of the competition.

The first time England’s flagship 50-over competition has been organised upon regional lines, positions are up for grabs in every pool.

Holders Durham Dynamos have secured their place in the quarter-finals with ten points, but they must sit and wait to see if they will get the home advantage that comes with winning the group.

The final positions will be decided when their North Division rivals meet at Headingley Carnegie and the Citylets Grange tomorrow.

Lancashire will qualify if they beat their old rivals, but only if Scotland Saltires claim their second win of the competition, against Derbyshire Phantoms.

The Lightning have their injury problems, with Andrew Flintoff, Glen Chapple, Tom Smith and Dominic Cork all out.

Yorkshire’s mission is clear: they know that a win sends them through, but defeat sees Darren Gough’s side packing their bags in the week he confirmed he will retire at the end of the season.

Even if Derbyshire beat the Scots, a Yorkshire win would put paid to their chances.

Scotland have little to play for, but after their nerve-wracking win over the Lightning at Old Trafford earlier this season anything is possible.

Nottinghamshire Outlaws have qualified from the Midlands Division, but they will secure a home draw in the quarter-finals if they beat Leicestershire Foxes at Grace Road.

The Outlaws are using the match to shake up their opening partnership, with Bilal Shafayat and Graeme Swann brought in for Will Jefferson and Matt Wood, while Alex Hales makes his debut in the middle order.

The Steelbacks will have to reproduce their recent performance against Ireland if they are to prevail

If Leicestershire beat Notts, Northamptonshire Steelbacks’ fate is sealed and the Foxes will claim home advantage in the knockout stages.

But defeat, and Northants beating Ireland in Dublin, would send the Foxes out.

Kent Spitfires and Essex Eagles are assured of their passage from the South East Division.

Essex, who welcome back Grant Flower to their squad, could still leapfrog Kent into top spot if they vastly improve their run rate with a commanding win over Middlesex Crusaders at Lord’s.

Eagles first team coach Paul Grayson said: “A wash-out probably suited us against Sussex as it guaranteed our qualification for the quarter-finals. Now we can go to Middlesex with all guns blazing.”

Surrey Brown Caps and Sussex Sharks’ clash at the Whitgift School is inconsequential with both already eliminated.

Gloucestershire Gladiators have proved their title as the kings of one-day cricket is not old hat by winning the South/West Group.

They will be joined in the next round by neighbours Somerset Sabres, as long as they beat Glamorgan Dragons in Cardiff.

But a Sabres’ slip-up, coupled with Worcestershire Royals beating Gloucestershire at New Road, will send the Royals through.