Graham and Heather see South Northumberland come up roses

South Northumberland finally overcame both the weather and their opponents Caythorpe to set up a 2006 Cockspur Cup final clash with Bromley, who had already defeated St Just in their semi-final the previous week.

The Final takes place at Lord's on Monday September 4, starting at 11am, with a new winner of the trophy guaranteed as neither side have reached the last two previously.

John Graham and Adam Heather were the key players for South Northumberland as the home side won a low-scoring affair in damp conditions by 34 runs.

Opening the innings, Graham only made 14 but was to feature prominently with the ball later. Fellow opener Heather, meanwhile, held the card together as wickets fell regularly, and was eventually last man out for a classy 64, top score in a modest total of 152 all out in 44.5 overs; with James Miller making 26, and Andy Seager, Billy Wright and James Hindson all taking two wickets apiece for Caythorpe.

The Nottinghamshire side recovered from the loss of an early wicket to move on to 60 for three, a position from which they looked likely to win the game.

But opener Samuel Ogrizovic’s 24 remained the top score as no other batsman managed to get past the 20-mark and wickets tumbled to see Caythorpe all out for 118.

Steve Humble, Lee Crozier and Richard Brook all grabbed a pair of victims, while Graham came into the South Northumberland attack as sixth bowler to take 3-11 in five overs to precipitate the collapse and help book their long trip south to the Home of Cricket.