Chapple hails team’s belief

IT’S Lancs at last! IT was party time for Lancashire after they won their first County Championship outright for 77 years. Local stars Kyle Hogg (back row, third left) and Luke Procter (front row, third right) joined the celebrations. Lancs coach Peter Moores last night said: “It's a great day for Lancashire cricket.The lads never lost their belief in each other."

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

LANCASHIRE captain Glen Chapple hailed the self–belief in his young side after seeing them defy pre–season doubters to end the county’s 77–year wait to be crowned champions again.

Lancashire, featuring local stars Kyle Hogg and Luke Procter, clinched the LV= County Championship Division One title after recording an eight–wicket victory over Somerset at Taunton — while nearest challengers Warwickshire were held to a draw at Hampshire.

Having been set a target of 211 at around six runs an over at Somerset for one of the most famous wins in their history, Red Rose openers Stephen Moore (71) and Paul Horton (55) led the charge before Steven Croft (40 not out) and Karl Brown (33 not out) saw them home with more than four overs to spare.

The victory saw Lancashire claim their first County Championship title outright since 1934.

The 37–year–old, whose side finished 11 points clear of Warwickshire, said: “We talk about pressure a lot and you don’t get more than we have been under in our last few games.

“If anything we have built up the importance of winning the title as an extra motivation. The young players know exactly what they have achieved and that they are now part of Lancashire cricket history.

"At the start of the season no one gave us a chance. I don't blame them and there is no resentment about that because we could see why. But we always had the belief and that was a key element in our success.”

Lancashire academy director John Stanworth, from Shaw, said various elements contributed to the club’s success this season.

The 50-year-old captained Chapple in the seam bowler’s early career and also supervised the development of the likes of Hogg, Procter, Horton, Croft and Brown through his role at Old Trafford.

Stanworth said: “To win the title for the first time in 77 years is a massive achievement and something to be proud of.

“We’ve been guilty in the past of not giving youth its chance but, because of the redevelopment of the club, we were forced into a situation when we were unable to hand out big contracts.

“It is an environment that coach Peter Moores excels in. He has a positive influence on the squad.

“The players have developed together from the academy through to second team and then first team cricket.

“When they lost to Worcester, one or two people questioned whether they had the character to go through with it, but what a response.

“Playing at Liverpool has also made a difference. Historically, the ground has been good for us and when you get on a roll at a venue, you think anything is possible.

“We’ve also been blessed with some decent weather where, in the past, it has gone against us.”