There was a frustrating end to the climax of the South East Group T20 Championship. Rain came before Essex could complete their innings, so the points had to be shared.

But there were rewards. This was Kent women’s first appearance under lights at the Spitfire Ground Canterbury, and around 300 people turned out to see if the Horses could secure another trophy.

Essex owed their good start again to Catherine Dalton who batted right through to reach 52* in 16 overs. But a second dose of rain proved terminal.

Alexa Stonehouse, following in Tash Farrant’s footsteps with her left-arm over quicks, cleaned up the other opener Emma Jones in her first over to finish with 1-4. Grace Poole kept Dalton useful company (19), until Mia Rogers hung on to an excellent catch standing up to the pacey Ryana Macdonald Gay.

Kalea Moore confirmed her promise as an off-spinner; she was the only bowler to complete her four overs, returning an economical 1-19.

Grace Scrivens was rewarded for her highly promising progress this season by being given the Kent captaincy. At the age of 17 she must be one of the youngest cricketers ever to lead a county.

Despite the early end the Horses already had enough points in the stable to ensure they cantered off with this trophy once more.

Final Table                                    W    L    A    Pts

Kent                                                6     0    2      26

Surrey                                            4     3     1      17

Hampshire                                    3     3    2      14

Sussex                                            3     3    2      14

Middlesex                                     3     4     1      13

Essex                                             0     6     2       2

The third column shows that the weather could almost claim top spot; it accounted for five unfinished games.

The divisions will now be known as the Bill Beaumont Senior Men’s County Championship, the Jason Leonard U20 County Championship and the Gill Burns Women’s County Championship.

The Bill Beaumont Senior Men’s County Championship is made up of the Bill Beaumont Division 1, Bill Beaumont Division 2 and Bill Beaumont Division 3 competitions (formerly the Bill Beaumont Cup, Division 2 Plate and Shield).

The Jason Leonard U20 County Championship will include the Jason Leonard Division 1 and Jason Leonard Division 2 competitions (formerly the National U20 Cup and National U20 Shield).

Following on from the success of the inaugural Women’s County Championship and Regional Plate, the women’s division of the competition will now be named the Gill Burns Women’s County Championship, encompassing the Gill Burns Division 1 and Gill Burns Division 2 competitions.

“The renaming of the County Championship divisions makes the competition structure a lot clearer and more consistent while honouring three of England’s most celebrated rugby players,” said Steve Grainger, RFU Rugby Development Director.

Surrey were crowned winners of the first-ever Women’s County Championships last May, defeating Lancashire 32-17 at Twickenham Stoop.

“It’s an honour to have the Women’s County Championship named after me,” said Gill Burns MBE.

“Last year’s inaugural competition, which involved 16 women’s teams, showed the appetite for a competitive competition for women across the country and I hope that the tournament becomes a pillar of county rugby, helping develop the women’s game across the regions.“

The Jason Leonard U20 County Championship is now into the quarter-final stage and the competition’s namesake said he was happy to be part of it.

“I’m delighted to put my name to this great competition which showcases the very best of grassroots rugby across the country.”

Report courtesy of the RFU