Kent claim Championship title

Charlotte Edwards with the trophy

Kent won the coveted Women’s Liverpool Victoria County Championship title for the first time during Thursday’s finals held at Uppingham School.

Charlotte Edwards’ team, sponsored by SeaFrance, strode to victory in the decider against holders Sussex, winning by eight wickets.

Edwards was in fine form, taking 4-15, three catches and then hitting 67 not out as she led her side to an historical victory.

Somerset beat Lancashire by six wickets in the second match in Division One. Lancashire made 153 all out, Jenny Withers taking 3-8 from three overs.

In reply, Somerset reached 131-4 from 33.4 to win under the Duckworth/Lewis ruling.

Nottinghamshire are Division Two champions after Jenny Gunn made 121 in a rain-affected game against Yorkshire.

Berkshire’s match against Cheshire was abandoned due to rain. Cheshire had already completed their innings, having been bowled out for 134, Heather Booth taking 3-24 and Lizzie Roberts 4-20.

Division Three saw Surrey run out champions after another rain-interrupted match against Staffordshire.

Surrey accumulated 216-8 off their 50 overs. In reply, Staffordshire reached 87-4 when the rain intervened and play was abandoned.

In the second match, Middlesex beat Northamptonshire by nine wickets. Northamptonshire made 137 all out with only Emma Rushmer in the runs, making 79. Lorraine Poole took phenomenal figures of 4-4.

In reply. Middlesex reached their target in the 25th over, Janice Fraser making 71 in their total of 138-1.

Competition stats:

For full scorecards and tables please see the ECB's official Liverpool Victoria Women's County Championship site on play-cricket