Gladiators stun Scorpions to take the title

That result was enough to earn promotion and Surrey Lions' dramatic two-run win against Essex Eagles at Chelmsford ensured Mark Alleyne's men cannot be caught. Craig Spearman smashed 81 while captain Alleyne made a half-century as the Gladiators posted a daunting 292 for eight despite being put into bat.

Chasing such an impressive total, the Scorpions faced an uphill task and needed a big innings from overseas star Michael Di Venuto. They could not have made a worse start though as the Australian tickled the second ball off Jon Lewis down the leg side and was caught behind by Jack Russell.

Chris Bassano made a valiant effort to keep up with the run rate, smashing 15 off one Lewis over, but the pressure for runs told when Nathan Dumelow was run out for 13 on 54. Bassano took the total into three figures but on 102 he drove Ian Fisher to extra cover where he was caught by Chris Taylor after making 61 from 54 balls.

Alleyne then removed Dominic Hewson and Jason Kerr cheaply and the match appeared to be over. Steve Selwood and Mathew Dowman refused to lie down though, putting on 123 in 18 overs for the sixth wicket to give the Scorpions a glimmer of hope.

Selwood was within seven runs of a century when he eventually fell to Jo Angel in the 41st over and Dowman was bowled for 45 on the last ball of the same over. Mike Smith then polished off the tail in style, taking the last three wickets in four balls as the Scorpions collapsed from 239 for five to 240 all out.

Spearman and Russell had earlier got the Gladiators off to a flying start with nine boundaries coming in the first five overs. New Zealand international Spearman stepped up a gear in the seventh over, clubbing successive sixes and a four off Graeme Welch, and they soon completed a century partnership. They put on 111 before Russell was finally dismissed for 42 when he was trapped leg before playing forward to Kerr.

Tim Hancock proved just as destructive and 62 runs were soon added for the second wicket until Spearman was bowled by Dumelow shortly after reaching 500 runs for the NUL season. His 81 had come off just 67 balls and included eight fours and three sixes.

Hancock followed soon after, bowled by Dowman five runs short of his half-century, but any hopes the Scorpions had of a collapse were extinguished by Alleyne.

While his innings was not quite as spectacular - his 54 featured only four boundaries - it was just as effective and he received useful support from Matt Windows (13), Chris Taylor (15) and Alex Gidman (18) as the Gladiators fell just four runs short of their highest NUL total of the season.

Kerr and Dowman restored some pride with three wickets apiece but Welch and Neil Gunter proved expensive, both conceding 80 runs from their nine overs.

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