End game is all too familiar in this tale of two counties (From Worcester News)
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End game is all too familiar for Worcestershire County Cricket Club
11:08am Friday 7th September 2012 in News
By Tom Guest, @tomguestWN #WENsport
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BOWLED: The loss of Alan Richardson's wicket takes WCCC to the brink of crashing out of the County Championship (36126210)
THE sun may have shone brightly at New Road yesterday, but it was a dark day for fans of Worcestershire County Cricket Club.
Local rivals Warwickshire completed the formalities of a crushing victory by an innings and 202 runs over the home side to secure the LV= County Championship title – and all but sentence Worcestershire to relegation.
Beleaguered Worcestershire supporters have had to witness some poor performances this season, but the humiliating defeat to the Bears was the nadir of a terrible campaign.
As if seeing your neighbours celebrate such a prestigious triumph in your own back yard wasn’t galling enough, the comprehensive defeat pretty much sounded the death knell for the New Road outfit’s time in Division One.
The County’s fate is set to be sealed today at the climax of Surrey’s game with Nottinghamshire at the Oval, where the hosts are well placed to secure at least a draw, which is all they need to send the Worcester club spiralling out of the top flight.
Steve Rhodes , County’s director of cricket, remained stoical as the Warwickshire players, coaching staff and fans enjoyed their coronation as champions at New Road – but he can have had few more depressing days in his long cricketing career.
dulon says...
11:28am Fri 7 Sep 12
But I guess that the atmosphere would be something like a waiting room in the dentists ! The noises emanating and the fear of the inevitable were probably comparable .
It has been a painful as pulling teeth to watch the 'team' this year , And unless there is a management shakeup I fear that next year will be more of the same.
By selling the family silver to provide finance the club should invest it funds in proven and competent management/coaching staff . Not supply jobs for the old boys .