Performance of the week

I know you're on the edge of your seat for this one, this weeks performance of the week. Yet again I start with the unlucky few who missed out on this fabulous award. Nicole Cook came away from Beijing with a Road race Olympic Gold medal and this week came away with a Road race World Title at the recent World Championships. Giving that it was four weeks ago the Olympics finished to turn it around and get back to competing is a stunning achievement. Fernando Alonso's win at the Singapore Grand Prix marked the anniversary of his last F1 victory and his 20th career win. He's been living in the shadow of Fillipe Massa and Lewis Hamilton all season and to come from almost no-where to cap off a stunning weekend to the Renault team was a huge effort.

I will admit this week I have been stuck between two awesome team performances Durham County Cricket Club and Hull City. As amazing as Hull City's win over Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium was it doesn't make a season, and Hull are still one of the favorites to drop down to the Championship. So this weeks Performance of the week goes to the new County Champions Durham.

Needing to beat Kent, who were in dire states themselves and needing Hampshire to beat Nottinghamshire the Dynamos had it all to do. Nottinghamshire had the upper hand in the first two days as they held the upper hand over Hampshire. It was the third day that decided the destiny of the title. Hampshire frustrated the Notts bowlers and for the first time all season they had no reply. Nick Pothas and Liam Dawson both hit hundreds to ensure Notts would have a hefty target going into day four. The monumental effort of day three though came from Durham. They declared on a massive 500-8 with Breese scoring 121 and Phil Mustard adding a useful 83. With just the evening session left they set about the Kent batting line-up and almost confirmed victory with a beautiful spell of bowling.

Callum Thorp was the hero of the hour taking the first five wickets and basically confirming victory. He finished with figures of 7-88 as Durham won inside 16 overs on day four with a victory of an innings and 71 runs. It was now in the hands of Nottinghamshire and with them needing a massive 441 on the final day they went for all or nothing. Dimitri Mascarenhas was on hand to take advantage as he took 4-43 and Imran Tahir who took 4-58. Notts finished on 338 all out needing a further 203 to win. It was a dominating victory from the Hawks who dominated the last two days to take the all important win, but all the plaudits went to Durham.

Having only been a county for 16 years this is their first county title. Steve Harmisson's 60 wickets was a big factor in their win as they played second fiddle to Notts all season. A lot of credit goes to the players but some attention should go to the back room staff and especially Geoff Cook who I know from experience has the knowledge and commitment to bring that club even further on in the next 16 years. His devotion behind the scenes is something to admire.