HOLLAND kicked off the Clydesdale Bank 40 season with a shock two-run victory over Group A rivals Yorkshire at Headingley.
Missing key men such as Ryan ten Doeschate and Alexei Kervezee, both of whom played in the World Cup but are contracted to other counties, the Dutch showed they nevertheless plan on competing this summer. Their 190 for eight looked below-par at the halfway stage but a calamitous top-order collapse by the hosts combined with some disciplined bowling saw them take the points.
Number eight Shane Mott made a crucial 50 not out to see his side to a respectable total before Yorkshire slumped to 27 for five.
Their tail regained some pride as Richard Pyrah (69), Adil Rashid (42no) and Ryan Sidebottom (29) took the match to the final ball but it was not enough.
In the group’s other match, Middlesex claimed a 24-run victory over Worcestershire at New Road.
Neil Dexter top-scored with 48 in Middlesex’s 206 all out, Gareth Andrew taking three wickets.
Vikram Solanki (61) and James Cameron (41) battled hard but there was no support as the hosts capitulated for 182, thanks largely to Gareth Berg’s four for 24.
In Group B, Hampshire edged a thrilling match with Warwickshire by three runs.
South African duo Johann Myburgh (64) and Neil McKenzie (87no) saw Hampshire to a formidable 274 for five only for holders Warwickshire to launch an admirable chase.
The in-form Varun Chopra weighed in with a half-century, as did Rikki Clarke, but former England paceman Simon Jones countered with four for 52.
Chris Woakes was in at the end and gave another glimpse of his all-round ability with 34no, including three sixes, but Hampshire held their nerve.
Durham were victors over Scotland by five wickets at the Riverside after overhauling the Saltires’ 215 for seven.
Preston Mommsen’s unbeaten 73 was the star turn in that knock but Gordon Muchall trumped him with 95no as he and Ben Stokes, who made 50, laid the foundations for victory.
Northamptonshire made light work of Leicestershire at Wantage Road, rolling them for 162 as Andrew Hall claimed five for 22.
Niall O’Brien then used just 63 deliveries in reaching 94no – with 14 fours and three sixes – as the home side reached their target with 59 balls remaining and seven wickets in hand.
Group C’s action saw last year’s runners-up Somerset defeat Nottinghamshire by 47 runs at Trent Bridge.
Craig Kieswetter, who struck exactly 100, and Jos Buttler, who was undefeated six short of the landmark, did the damage in a total of 270 for five, with the hosts falling for 223.
Sri Lanka’s Ajantha Mendis, who has endured a modest start to life at Somerset, was at last on song with four for 35.
Lancashire squeezed past the Unicorns by 20 runs at Old Trafford, hosting its first match since pitch reorientation.
Stephen Moore’s 50 was the best of several middling innings in Lancashire’s 201 for five but Glen Chapple and Farveez Maharoof shared six wickets to leave the semi-professionals on 181 for nine at the close.
Gloucestershire secured a three-wicket victory over Glamorgan at Bristol.
The Welsh side made 197 for eight, thanks in main to Stewart Walters’ 79, but could not defend it after Alex Gidman (63) and Hamish Marshall (55) grabbed the momentum with a 117-run second-wicket stand. (PA Sport).