Success for the 2nd XI... now it's time for seniors to clinch promotion

It was fourth time lucky for the Second Eleven this week as we finally won the ECB 2nd XI Trophy in Monday's final against Warwickshire at the Rose Bowl.

Silverware is precious to any sporting club at any time, but in the midst of some lean times at Hampshire, hopefully this prize can offer some succour to a long suffering membership and some hope for the future.

The final itself was a rather one-sided affair in the end. Chasing 191 for victory, we overhauled Warwickshire's modest target with eight wickets and plenty of overs in hand. Our performance with the ball was far from spectacular, but a largely efficient effort interspersed with the occasional flash of brilliance (James Tomlinson's fantastic one-handed caught and bowled springs to mind) did the required job. James Bruce has led the way and confirmed his super progress this season with a miserly 3 for 22 from his ten-over allocation.

With the bat in hand, we set about the task with confidence and vigour. James Hamblin, as ever at the top of the order, got us off to a flyer before I joined Jimmy Adams in a decisive century stand. Jimmy played superbly to finish with an unbeaten 97 and would have clearly deserved a Man of the Match award had there been one.

Then, it was just a case of receiving the Trophy and winners' medals before embarking on some serious celebrations!

Team has a fine record

During each season, what goes on in the 2nd XI is rarely broadcast. Naturally, the attention is on the first team, whose success or failure defines the state of Hampshire cricket.

From a player's point of view, performance at this level is what really counts and this is what the supporters come to see. But, the 2nd XI is an important part of the Club and the recent success of the side should not be ignored as a side show.

Four one-day finals in five years and the Championship Trophy in the year we didn't make it (2001) rates Hampshire as arguably the most consistently successful 2nd XI in the country. And most of those who have played a part in the recent campaign are of local stock. Their success is a tribute to the coaching staff throughout the development structure who have been instrumental in bringing on players from the junior ranks, through the Academy and into this level of cricket with regular success.

Credit to the coach

Tony Middleton has done a superb job in helping these players to mature quickly and in gelling together the make-up of a team that changes with virtually every game. When the side he is able to put out is constantly changing, owing to the requirements of the first team and the availability of trialists and Academy players, this is no easy task.

It is also a tribute to the staff players who make up the core of the 2nd XI, the likes of Iain Brunnschweiler, Charlie van der Gucht, Lawrence Prittipaul, Alex Morris, James Tomlinson, Chris Benham and James Bruce for creating an environment into which players can come and go and yet always feel welcome and wanted.

Everyone is ambitious and wants to be playing at the next level, but they enjoy each other's company, appreciate and respect each other's talents, and love playing together.

Thinking over my future

From a personal point of view, I certainly do not want to play 2nd XI cricket for any longer than I have to, but over the past couple of months I have learned a huge amount from playing with these guys. Though frustrating in terms of form and status, I have certainly benefited from the experience and will be a better player for it.

But I'll be having a chat with the coaching staff to see if there's still a future for me at the Rose Bowl. I'm under contract for another year and want to continue with Hampshire. But I have to establish whether at 29, I'm part of the club's plans before I decide anything.

From the first team perspective, last weekend's loss to Lancashire at the Rose Bowl has quashed any chance of winning the Second Division of the National League, but we still have two opportunities to get the win we need to confirm our promotion to the top flight next year.

Middlesex are our nearest rivals and we play them at Lord's on Sunday. They are under more pressure to win than we are as even an abandoned match and the two points that would give us would be enough. Failing that, a win at Derby next weekend would be sufficient to give everyone a much needed fillip and something to show for the year.

England win was a boost

On a more general note, England's win in the final Test at the Oval was a huge boost for cricket in this country. The team has taken a lot of flak - knocking cricket seems to be more of a summer sport than the game itself - and given that and the fact that they faced a huge South African total in the first innings, this was one of the greatest comebacks in recent times.

The national side has come a long way in the last few years and we have the base of a good team for the future. Apart from requiring a top-class spinner (with no solution immediately apparent), the various departments seem well covered.

Hopefully, Hampshire's players will be pushing for consideration soon. The talent is around, and given careful nurturing and the improved fortunes of our county, there is no reason why that should not be the case.

Contracts news soon

Hampshire say a statement on players contracts will be issued early next week, writes Ian Henderson.

Former skipper Robin Smith, who's 40 this weekend, has decided to retire after a season of persistent injuries. The future of others, including unsettled John Francis, will be made clear in the announcement.