So what do you think?

The new ECB40 competition draw has been favourable to us, in my humble opinion.

As I reported in my "12 minute lunchtime special", dashed off earlier while I ate my delicious sandwiches (thanks Mrs Peakfan) we've got a decent draw.

For those who don't know, this competition is to be played on a home and away basis, so that will be 12 games in total. The three group winners then qualify for the semi finals, together with the best of the three group runners-up.

So, having had my hopes of a trip to Edinburgh dashed, I now console myself with the thought that maybe, just maybe, the game against Yorkshire will be played at Scarborough. One of my few remaining cricket ambitions is to see Derbyshire play there. I gave up on one of them a long time ago, which was playing for the hallowed XI.

Even for a county who at one time specialised in recruiting old, almost retired players from elsewhere (Clive Inman, Fred Trueman, Fred Rumsey, Ron Headley) an opportunity for Peakfan to strut his stuff in Derbyshire colours is probably past at this stage. I've even stopped sticking my gear in the back of the car, just in case...

Seriously though, I'd love to see us play at Scarborough and will hope that the final dates, venues etc will show that one on the calendar. If it happens, I'll be checking the B and Bs there to get a nice early booking.

I still stand by what I said earlier, that there's nothing in the group as it stands that would worry me unduly. Obviously, there's a lot of recruitment to be done around the country at present, but we can hold our own against these guys. Aside from not getting Scotland, I'm just pleased we've avoided Nottinghamshire, Lancashire and Durham, mainly because we see them every year in the Twenty/20.

Thanks to all recent contributors. I'll have a few comments on what you've added to the blog later tonight.