The NCL (National Cricket League) defeated the Caribbean Cup Competition at Teddington CC on Tuesday 8 August, to be a new name on the 'battered old' cup. This was the first time that the NCL had reached the final, and the second time in three years that the Caribbean Cup Competition team have been runners-up.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Caribbean Cup openers made a solid start before Lawrence was dismissed with the score at 41. Opening partner Sharma continued to score well, despite lossing number 3, Wright, at 59. By the time Sharma was fourth out (top scorer with 59), the NCL spinners Butt and Ali, had begun to dominate and reduce the run-rate. Wickets fell regularly in the middle and latter overs, and it required number 10, Sinclair to see the score past 200. The score at 45 overs of 217, seemed 30 to 40 runs short.

Richmond CC opening seamer, Burton, dismised both NCL opening batsman by 30 runs, to give a promising start for the Caribbean Cup team. NCL number 3, Choudhary, and number 4, Rehman, avoided any further early panic with sensible batting. The Caribbean Cup team may have thought they were still in with a chance at 96 for 4 wickets down, but a 101 run partnership between Rehman and Butt, effectively ensured victory. [218 for 6 wickets, after 41.2 overs] For his all-round performance, Bilal Butt was judged to be the Man-of-the-Match.

The full scorecard is here