They knew it was the longest of shots. The supporters in the Stragglers Café knew it; the members in the Colin Atkinson knew it; and the players gathered in the 1875 Club knew it most of all.But since when did knowing ever stop you hoping?All the same its the hoping that leads to the hurt. After the pain of 2010 Somerset supporters knew that, too. Yet, here they were at Taunton, just wondering if this could be the one.Nothing, like something, happens anywhere, wrote Philip Larkin, and for half a day the nothing that was happening at Lords had meant everything to the players in their track suits and the supporters in their polo shirts or sweaters as they gathered together and took comfort from the fact that they were facing this thing together.And when it was all done with and Middlesex were being acclaimed as county champions, there was no bitterness from the runners-up, only congratulations to the victors and recognition of what a wonderful Championship season it had been for Chris Rogers and his side.Declarations were part and parcel of the game years ago, said Somersets director of cricket, Matt Maynard, as he reflected on the way Middlesex had won the title at Lords. Neither side were going to give us the title. They had to come to an agreement and from the outset it looked like a very fine declaration.It needed Tim Bresnan to carry on for another three or four overs to take it into that last over with 12 needed but unfortunately it didnt get to that stage. But fair credit to Middlesex, theyve gone through the season unbeaten and a number of their players have had outstanding seasons.Theyve been very consistent and I think they are deserved champions.Maynards was speaking at the end of a day which Somerset loyalists will remember for one heart-breaking reason and several heart-warming ones. It had been a day which began with a good group of supporters in the ground floor of the new pavilion, although their number swelled very rapidly over lunchtime and into the early afternoon.For a while it had seemed that nothing much was happening at Lords, nothing at any rate to indicate that discussions had taken place between the captains. But everyone could see there was not the time necessary for a normal game to take place.Then with the game in stalemate Alex Lees was brought on to bowl deliberate bad balls to set up a declaration and a few comments began, although not too many. Many of those watching were old enough to remember the days of regular three-day nonsense, and those who werent received a crash course, mdear.The loudest protests followed the declaration and the idea that six-an-over represented much of a challenge to Yorkshires batsmen. Then people remembered that this was a Yorkshire side without Jonny Bairstow and suddenly the declaration seemed less generous on a lifeless pitch.Not that they prevented them hoping, of course.By four oclock there was hardly standing room in the Stragglers and the members in the Colin Atkinson were trying to look vaguely dignified. They failed, God bless em. Some of the players couldnt watch and took a stroll on the outfield. Busy doin nothin.Very quickly, though, it became clear how difficult Yorkshire were finding their run-chase People started talking about the tie and how glorious that might be. Wickets fell, although people were unsure whether this was a good or bad thing. Stalemate was needed and that was clearly the one outcome not on the cards.Chris Rogers and some of his players watched the game on the first floor of the Somerset Pavilion. Every dot ball brought a roar of acclamation. In the press box seasoned journos acknowledged that they had seen nowt like this.Then there was that clatter of wickets, a Toby Roland-Jones hat-trick and Middlesex players rolling on the ground in glee. Supporters dribbled out of the Colin Atkinson and others joined them on the outfield. Everyone the roped-off area in front of the Andrew Caddick pavilion - the Caddyshack they call it down here - was ringed by Somerset supporters. There were a few tears and a lot of pride.Somersets chairman, Andy Nash, congratulated the new champions and confirmed that Matt Maynard would have done the same as Gale and Franklin. Maynard, himself, and Rogers spoke with dignity and pride about all that had been achieved. And, yes, all that was to come.There was great belief in the group, said Maynard, We played some good cricket without getting results and we then built momentum though winning games and gaining confidence from that.The contribution of Chris Rogers has been huge. He has been tough on the players in the middle at times and that has taken them back a little bit. You have to challenge them at times. His expectations were terrific and hes made an incredible impact.The biggest thing we can do for Chris is continue his legacy. I was in the Glamorgan team included Viv Richards in the latter part of his career, he was very passionate and we continued his legacy. It is now hugely important that we do the same.We have five youngsters who are coming through and weve also signed Steve Davies. I have a clear idea as to who Id like as captain to take over from Chris Rogers but Im not at liberty to say who that is yet.Somerset supporters may take heart from Maynards comments but they are getting tired of finishing second in the West Country. Even that most equable of men, Marcus Trescothick, who was one of those ambling on the outfield, is getting particularly tired of it.Its a pain in the arse to come second again and it feels just the same as it did last time, he said. Its been such a difficult day and different to the last time we did it because we were playing all day so it has been very strange having to sit around and watch it all on television.It feels no different than last time to end up in second place, the only difference is that Middlesex have been top of the table for a long time and they have come out and won the competition outright, so they deserve to win.I think we were all disappointed to see the game set up in that fashion. It was going along and doing exactly what we wanted it to do and had it been any normal game it would have petered out with a 4.30 or five oclock finish but those are the regulations and its not in our control to worry about that.It was just sad to see because from our point of view we wanted to see the best team win and I guess that Middlesex have at the end of the day, but the fashion in which it was done was disappointing.And with that, it was done. The players drifted away, perhaps to celebrate a season in which a late charge for victory was not quite enough. The supporters, too, with whom the players have a great bond in this county, left the ground they call a home and some may not return until next April.We also suffer who only sit and watch and wait. Air Max Outlet Ireland . The 15th-ranked Canadian men lost the opening two games of their European tour: 19-15 to No. 17 Georgia and 21-20 to No. Cheap Air Max Ireland . The Americans, skipped by John Shuster, seized the advantage in the eighth end by scoring five points for a 7-3 lead. The Czechs pulled two back in the ninth, but Shusters team of third Jeff Isaacson, second Jared Zezel and lead John Landsteiner ended with another point to secure the last Olympic berth on offer. http://www.airmaxoutletireland.com/ . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Air Max For Sale Cheap . The winner Saturday will remain in the elite 10-team field next year. "We talked about wanting to be disciplined and stick with our game plan and good things will come," Draisaitl said, who had two goals for the victors. Nike Air Max Womens Ireland . At a news conference Tuesday where it was thought that the fiery Schallibaum may be shown the door after a dismal finish to the Major League Soccer season, team president Joey Saputo said no decision has been made on whether the Swiss Volcano will be back in 2014. FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson has been disciplined by the team for making a profanity-laced Snapchat video in the locker room two hours before losing to the Miami Dolphins last Saturday night.Coach Todd Bowles, who called Richardsons actions detrimental to the team, met Tuesday morning with Richardson. He refused to divulge details of the punishment, saying he wants to keep it in-house. Bowles, however, did say, The discipline has been taken care of.Richardson said Bowles didnt mention anything about being benched Saturday against the New England Patriots, leading him to believe his playing time wont be affected.When asked whether he was fined, Richardson said, No need to go into that. Its in-house.Richardson, who spewed three expletives and made a derogatory comment about women in the seven-second video, said it was meant to be a private conversation with a friend. He said he never thought it would go public.By Sunday morning, it was all over the internet.Do I regret it? It getting out, thats about it, Richardson told reporters at his locker. I dont regret saying it. I was having fun with a friend. I mean, yall have sent videos inappropriately to yall friends, too.I just play football, at the end of the day. I have fun. I sit back and relax and crack jokes and talk about stuff like that to people. Thats how I deal with my friendships and stuff like that. Thats just how it is.Richardson used teammate Rontez Miles Snapchat account to make the video. In fact, Miles can be seen in the background. Richardson apparently was referring to Miles in the video when he said, Dont f--- this guy.Miles, too, was summoned to Bowles office, but he apparently wasnt disciplined.Bowles described it as a social-media gaffe, adding:We dont condone what he did. He didnt go out and rob a bank, he didnt shoot anybbody.dddddddddddd He used two foul words on Snapchat. In the day of Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, anything you say in the line of the business were in is detrimental to the team.We dont condone it. We dont want it. It was a mistake on his part. He understands that. He was remorseful. We handled it internally. Thats the best I can give you.This wasnt Richardsons first transgression.Earlier in the season, he was benched for a quarter for violating team rules (late for a team meeting). He also has served two NFL suspensions -- a four-game marijuana violation at the start of the 2015 season and a one-game personal-conduct violation at the beginning of the current season.The latter suspension stemmed from a July 2015 arrest in which he was clocked at 143 mph while trying to elude police in suburban St. Louis. He wound up pleading guilty to resisting arrest.Bowles said its unfair to lump the incidents together to paint a picture of Richardson.The other situations were police related, he said. This was just immature. It was a big mistake on his part. We move on.The Jets tried to trade Richardson, a former first-round pick, before the Nov. 1 deadline. They had talks with the Dallas Cowboys, reportedly asking for a first-round pick in return. Its likely they will re-visit trade talks in the offseason.When asked whether Bowles was upset and disappointed by the video, Richardson said, Both. He knows me, so he knows I didnt mean no harm by it. I would never say that publicly.He said Bowles understood that he likes to be loose and have fun before games, but the coach also warned him to be more careful because hes tired of repeating himself.In 13 games, Richardson has only 1 1/2 sacks -- a career low. ' ' '