Quarter-Final places in the Middleton Cup and Johns Trophy have been decided after some thrilling action in the final Group Stage matches. Qualified Counties are now just one match away from reaching the Aviva National Finals in August.

Current Middleton Cup holders Berkshire remain on course with their bid to retain the title. They beat 18-4 (122-112) Oxfordshire to top the South B group by seven points. It proved to be a spirited comeback after they had lost their first group match to Buckinghamshire, who finished second in the group.

Warwickshire answered all the questions asked of them as they clawed out of their group by one point. They needed 18 points from their final game and hoped for a favoured result between Somerset and Worcestershire. Warwickshire scored the 18 points they required against Cornwall (127-111) while Somerset beat Worcestershire 17-5 (120-117). Those results meant Warwickshire finished top with 43 points and Worcestershire second with 42 in the West B group.

Elsewhere, Cumbria, Lincolnshire, Huntingdonshire and Essex have made it to the quarter-finals after topping their groups in impressive fashion.

Five-time and reigning Johns Trophy winners Lincolnshire are in the mix once again. They stormed to a 21-1 (131-90) win over Yorkshire in a North B playoff match.

Hot on their heels are Surrey. They have finished runner-up in the last two years so will be hoping to go all the way in 2023. They finished first in the South A group and ended the group stages beating second-place Middlesex 18-4 (138-96).

Devon, who last won in 2021, secured victory in a must-win game against Gloucestershire 20-2 (144-101). The result meant Devon topped the West B group with 26 points and Gloucestershire finishing bottom, just seven points behind with 19.

All quarter-finals will take place on Saturday 22nd July. Successful counties will qualify for this year’s Aviva National Finals at the prestigious Victoria Park, Royal Leamington Spa. Tickets are available from £4 for adults and from £1 for Under 18s – get yours now.