LANCASHIRE were on the brink of clinching runners up spot in the championship today.

With the CGU National League already sewn up, it adds up to a successful captaincy debut for John Crawley.

At the start of the season Crawley said he saw no reason why Lancashire could not emulate 1998 when they went close to a unique treble. It seemed an optimistic forecast but it was spoiled by only one off day - when they crashed to Yorkshire in ther NatWest Trophy quarter final. "That's the only game we have lost in the second half of the season," he said.

Lancashire have already earned five points from the match with Somerset which was ending today at Taunton. They were set to get another four for the draw, which seemed almost inevitable, and that would guarantee second place.

Leicester's hopes of overtaking them suffered a serious blow when they could only claim three batting points against Durham. The season comes to an end at Worcester tomorrow in the final CGU match.

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