Northamptonshire v Derbyshire RLODC

Northamptonshire 311-7 (McManus 107, Taylor 75,  Zaib 62, Aitchison 2-43)

Derbyshire 312-2 (Reece 106, Godleman 87, Masood 53*, Came 43*)

Derbyshire won by eight wickets 

Well,  Derbyshire's Royal London tournament might not have been the most fun you can have with your clothes on,  but we finished it in style today,  with a resounding win over Northamptonshire by eight wickets.

In the process they scored their highest successful run chase in one day cricket and the result was never really in doubt after Luis Reece and Billy Godleman added 204 for the first wicket.

Both batted splendidly and after difficult seasoons it was good to see them in such fine form.  Reece looks a class act in this nick,  while Billy looks so much better when he goes for his shots,  rather than just occupying the crease.

It was a fine batting track and when they went in quick succession,  Masood and Came eased us to the win with an over to spare.  Masood was just as he has been all summer,  but Came looked very good today.  Anything short or overpitched went a long way and I maintain that if he can get past playing Came-os he will be a good player. Maybe next season he will kick on.  I hope so.

Earlier Aitchison took two key wickets of Vasconcelos and Young,  as otherwise we may have chased 350+. Zaib batted beautifully again,  as he did in the Blast against us,  while Tom Taylor again illustrated what a good player we let get away.  The best knock came from McManus,  who was stylish and later brutal,  before injuring himself early in our reply and having to leave the field.

Aitchison was the pick of the bowlers,  although Watt and Dal did a good job in the middle overs.

But then came Reece and Godleman.  How nice to see them back in form for the closing fixtures in the County Championship. 

On this form we may yet do something special.