Essex had a comfortable afternoon, beating Hants by 9-3. Details, match report and all the games, link below.
Just two games into the Qualifiers, so too early to get excited, but Essex head the table by half a game point over Northumberland, Essex’ next opponents on 3 July. This is likely to be the toughest match in the qualifiers and may be affected by events in the Open, in which Northumberland are also playing.
Apparently Surrey were unable to muster a 12 board team for their Open encounter with Devon and withdrew, leaving Northumberland and Devon in now a two horse race. While Northumberland are due to play Devon on 3 July, there are now options for the organisers; we can think of three: i) defer NL v Devon to 21 August, allowing NL a free hand with team selection in the Minor Open on 3 July; ii) make the Open a double round between NL and Devon playing on 3 July and 21 August; iii) stick to existing NL v Devon fixture on 3 July, whether or not the Open becomes double round. We shall see.