Das Jahr 2008 » in battering three opponents in Charleston,

Middlesex 270 (Gubbins 125, Brooks 6-65) and 359 for 6 dec (Malan 116, Gubbins 93, Eskinazi 78*) beat Yorkshire 390 (Bresnan 142*, Rafiq 65, Hodd 64, Roland-Jones 4-73) and 178 (Bresnan 55, Roland-Jones 6-54)ScorecardOf course it ended in a hat-trick. Of course, on a day when supporters ran down the street to catch the final session at the home of cricket, in a season that ended with three teams title hopes live into the final half-hour, at a match that attracted more than 20,000 spectators and saw the initiative swing by the hour, it ended with a hat-trick.It was, as the hat-trick hero Toby Roland-Jones, put it as good as it gets.The short story is that Middlesex won the Championship for the first time since 1993. As the only unbeaten team in the land, few would deny they deserved their prize. They have, in the likes of Steven Finn, Nick Gubbins and, perhaps, Roland-Jones, produced players who could serve England cricket with distinction. Angus Fraser, the Middlesex director of cricket, and his coaching team have done a fine job since inheriting a bit of a mess in 2009 (Frasers words) and theres no reason the next few years cannot bring more success.The longer story is rather more complicated. There had been long passages of play in this match when it seemed impossible to separate these two well-matched teams. And as they traded blows, providing an outstanding advert to the virtues and values of Championship cricket, it seemed they might negate one another and allow Somerset to win their first Championship title. Had this game been drawn, Somerset would have been champions.In the end it took some invention to reach victory at Lords. After plodding along for the first three hours of the day - that is a little harsh; Gubbins and Dawid Malan, who completed his century before the declaration bowling, both batted beautifully on an unhelpfully slow surface - the sides agreed an equation. After the possibility of a target of 210 off 30 overs and 220 off 32 was rejected - negotiations took place, James Franklin the Middlesex captain later admitted, while he was on the toilet - it was eventually agreed that Yorkshire would be required to score 240 in 40 overs to win.To achieve that situation, however, Yorkshire were persuaded to serve up what might be politely be described as help yourself bowling. So Adam Lyth and Alex Lees delivered nine overs that cost 120 runs in the understanding that Yorkshire would then chase their target come what may.I told James Franklin that we would go for it and Im a man of my word, Andrew Gale, the Yorkshire captain, said afterwards.It seemed, at the time, a somewhat generous declaration - 240 in 40 overs? In the age of T20? Easy! Indeed, so generous did it seem that Peter Trego, the Somerset allrounder, suggested on Twitter that it should have come with Gift Aid.But on a tired, late-season, fourth-day pitch on which Middlesex had scored at a rate of 2.48 in their first innings and Yorkshire at a rate of 3.34 in theirs, it proved an astute target. Tantalising enough to seduce Yorkshire but distant enough to defend, it was surely a declaration that would have pleased previous Middlesex captains such as Mike Brearley or Denis Compton.It may grate some - not least those in Taunton - that such contrivance was used. But it felt legitimate. It felt as if both sides had embraced the spirit of the occasion, their role as entertainers and the fact that a draw was little use to either of them. A game that could have petered out to a dull draw was rendered endlessly memorable. Both captains, both teams, both clubs deserve credit for that.There was a bit of to-ing and fro-ing but at the end of the day we wanted to put a bit of a show on and a finale for the season at the home of cricket, Franklin explained. I guess Somerset will feel a little disappointed at how it panned out but, at the end of the day, we can only look after the game were involved in and both Yorkshire and us felt we were prepared to lose to win the game. Fair play to Yorkshire for being part of it. Unfortunately only one team comes away with the spoils.There was much to admire in this Yorkshire effort. At several times in the match - several times during the season - it seemed their hopes of winning a third successive Championship title had been dashed. But every time - nearly every time - someone produced a performance to keep them in the fight.Typically, it was Tim Bresnan who top-scored for them in the fourth innings. And it was when he fell that their challenge finally subsided. The final six wickets were swept away for 25 runs. Perhaps a more pragmatic, less emotional team might have blocked for a draw. Or perhaps, by blocking for a few overs, they might have convinced Middlesex to throw up a few enticing overs themselves? But a promise had been made and a promise was honoured. These things still matter in Yorkshire. It would be nice to think they still matter in county cricket. Whichever side you were supporting, there is something comforting in that.Usually, on a day when Kevin Pietersen and Shane Warne were conducting a coaching session on the Nursery Ground, a crowd would gather around them. Not this time. Nobody wanted to miss a ball of the game on the main square. As the equation became 153 required off 20 and then 87 off 10, nobody could bear for it to continue or ever want it to end. There is always a bitter pang of regret at the end of the season. This year, that will be just a little smarter as the game has provided a late reminder of its charms. And, of course, we may never again have a 16-match season. Its 14 next year. How long before it is 12 or 10?Defeat was clearly hard to take for Gale. He declined to confirm that he would continue as captain - I need to take stock before thinking about that, he said - but, in time, he will surely conclude that he has presided over a golden period of Yorkshire cricket. The sight of Joe Root and Jonny Bairstow in the dressing room spoke volumes for the spirit the club has engendered, though the absence of Adil Rashid raised questions. It will be fascinating to see how he reflects on the last few days in a decade or two. The chance to fight for a Championship at Lords doesnt come along very often.I never thought it was a generous declaration, Gale said. I always thought it favoured Middlesex. But we put up a hell of a fight. I knew it was slipping when Bresnan was out. We didnt have many hitters. Weve had a lot of England call-ups and injuries this season, but Middlesex are worthy winners. They deserve this.This game also marked the end of Jason Gillespies spell as head coach of the club. It should not be forgotten that, when Gillespie was appointed, Yorkshire were in the lower division of the Championship and had gone longer than any of the first-class counties without a trophy. He has not only helped revive their fortunes - Martyn Moxon and many others have contributed, too - but he has done so by backing home-grown players and in spite of frequent and heavy calls upon his squad by the England teams. While some other foreign coaches come into the county game and make short-term decisions that might embellish their own CVs but take the club - and the English game - no further forward, Gillespie has done a fine job for Yorkshire and England. He departs having earned the enduring gratitude of both.It might be overlooked in the drama of the evening session, but the day started with Middlesex still facing a deficit. Had Gubbins, who passed 1,400 Championship runs during his innings of 93, and Malan not batted with such class and composure, Middlesex would never have had the opportunity to set up such a declaration.But it has been that way all season. When Middlesex stumbled to 133 for 6 against Somerset at Taunton in June, it seemed they were in deep trouble. But then James Harris and James Fuller - neither of whom were selected for this game - posted a ninth-wicket stand of 162 to set up an eventual two-wicket victory. Over the course of the season, despite relatively sparse contributions from their overseas players, they have always found someone to deliver.On the final day, that was Roland-Jones. Running down the hill from the Pavilion End, Roland-Jones exploited a slightly uneven surface and the desperation of his opponents with a mean display of bowling that forced them behind the rate and into reckless strokes.The attitude wasnt great when I started in 2009, Fraser said. There was a sense from some players that the club was lucky to have them rather than them being lucky to play for this club.Weve put the pride back into playing for Middlesex. Theyre nice players but theyre also nice guys.At the same time, most at Leeds or Lords will spare some sympathy for Somerset in general, and Marcus Trescothick in particular. But sympathy is the last thing that he or his club will want. At least they have the chance to try again next year. Even the most ardent Yorkshire or Middlesex supporter may wish they go that bit better.Long after the pain of defeat and the pleasure of victory has subsided, we may come to reflect on this match as the apogee of the two-division age of County Championship cricket. There is so much good in it. So much of value.We talk often of the worth of the Championship: its ability to develop players and contribute to the success of the England Test team. What we hear less frequently is the entertainment it offers. But anyone who saw the emergence of Haseeb Hameed, the development of Ben Duckett, the enduring brilliance of Trescothick or the improvement in Gubbins and Jake Ball, witnessed a brilliantly vibrant competition that continues to deliver players and delight its followers. And anyone who saw Rob Jones celebrate his first century or Jack Shantry thrash the second fifty runs of his own, witnessed how much this game still means to those involved and its ability to surprise. While Test cricket remains important to us, the Championship remains relevant and deserves protecting. Baltimore Orioles Gear . Anthony Davis had 31 points and 17 rebounds in his seventh straight game with more than 20 points, but that was only enough to keep the Pelicans competitive into the final minutes. Andrew Bogut had 10 points and 15 rebounds for Golden State, which rebounded from a loss a night earlier in Oklahoma City and snapped a two-game skid. Baltimore Orioles Store . Zvonareva, who won the tournament in 2009 and 10, couldnt handle her opponents big groundstrokes in only her third event back after 17 months out with a shoulder injury. Zvonareva made her comeback in January in Shenzhen and played in the Australian Open but lost her first matches at both tournaments. https://www.cheaporioles.com/ . Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek defeated Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (4) on the indoor hard-court at Belgrade Arena. The victory improved the Czech pairs impressive cup doubles record to 14-1. Baltimore Orioles Pro Shop .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Orioles Jerseys 2019 .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games when they visit the Edmonton Oilers for Sundays clash at Rexall Place. CHARLESTON, S.C. -- The hundreds of Villanova fans at Charlestons TD Arena gathered with coach Jay Wright and his Wildcats to cheer their latest in-season tournament championship.Most of them surely believe winning the Charleston Classic can lead the defending national champions to even bigger celebrations this season.I feel good about where we are, our path, Wright said Sunday night.The Wildcats passed their biggest test yet in staring down UCF and 7-foot-6 center Tacko Fall for a 67-57 victory, giving Villanova an in-season tournament title for the fourth straight season.Josh Hart, a preseason All-America selection, scored 11 of his 15 points in the second half and was chosen the events MVP. He and his teammates showed their savvy in maneuvering around Fall, whose wingspan is 8 feet, 2 inches.Its genius how they use him, Wright said. Its hard to play them. Theyre a tough team.The Knights anchor Fall near the basket on defense while his teammates switch through different schemes to frustrate opponents. If anyone dares to drive the lane, Fall is waiting to swat it away.On offense, Fall is also underneath waiting for entry passes that he can efficiently jam home for dunks.Fall made all 10 of his shots and finished with 20 points and 13 rebounds. He went 26 of 31 from the floor with 34 rebounds in three tournament games and was a constant headache for defenders.All I could do was make it difficult for him to get post touches, said Darryl Reynolds, the 6-9 Villanova forward charged with fronting Fall. You cant block his shot because he does a good job keeping the ball high.Reynolds, a senior starter, finished with two points and fouled out after 26 minutes.Still, it was the Wildcats celebrating. Fans and teammates sang Happy Birthday to Final Four star Kris Jenkins, who had 12 points despite an off shooting night as Villanova ran its November record the past four years to 24-0.It was a great way to spend my birthday, he said. I wouldnt have it any other way.UCF closed to 37-32 on Matt Williams basket with 16 minutes left.dddddddddddd Then the Wildcats took off on a 12-3 run to extend the lead. Hart had a jumper and his only 3-pointer in the surge. The Knights never got within single digits after that.Theyve been in that position before, you could tell, UCF coach Johnny Dawkins said. They made the big plays when they needed to make them.Villanova freshman Donte DiVincenzo had 13 points, and Jalen Brunson added 12.Williams scored 17 points for UCF.BIG PICTUREVillanova: The Wildcats showed their resiliency and skill in battering three opponents in Charleston, all by double digits. If youre nitpicking for a deficiency, it might be a lack of height; Reynolds played center most of the weekend.We knew this was coming, Wright said.Villanova has won three games in the past week against teams that had height advantages: No. 15 Purdue, Wake Forest and UCF.UCF: The Knights picture is always big with Fall, the tallest player in the game. The school says he is among the 40 tallest people in the world, too. But UCFs offense at times doesnt run through Fall, maybe because hes still developing his passing skills down low. If that happens, look for the Knights and Fall to take off as he becomes a more versatile player.POLL IMPLICATIONSLook for Villanova to move up a spot after No. 1 Duke lost to seventh-ranked Kansas earlier this week.CHART CLIMBERWright has 359 victories at Villanova, moving past former boss Rollie Massimino into second place on the schools all-time list among coaches. Only Al Severance with 413 stands in front of Wright.UP NEXTVillanova heads home to face the College of Charleston. After the teams spent the past four days crisscrossing each other at TD Arena, they travel to Philadelphia to play Wednesday night.UCF begins a two-game homestand against Seattle on Saturday night.---More AP college basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org ' ' '