Rain denies Staffordshire

Cambridgeshire held on for a draw at Leek despite Staffordshire enforcing the follow on after a first day wash out

Staffordshire had to settle for a draw against Cambridgeshire after a day’s play was lost to rain in their Minor Counties Championship game.

The result leaves Staffordshire unbeaten, but they could have secured a win after an impressive display saw them enforce the follow-on.

After a washout on day one, the home side rattled up 340, with youngster Karl Quiney top-scoring with 60.

Opening bowlers Greg Willott and Will Purser then reduced Cambridgeshire to 44 for three by the end of day two, and shortly after lunch on the final day the visitors had been knocked over for 166.

Home captain Paul Goodwin opted to ask Cambridgeshire to bat again but 17 wickets in a day proved too tall an order and Matthew Pateman and Simon Kellett carried the away side to safety, as they closed 54 runs ahead with four wickets remaining.

Goodwin said: “We stuck at it really well. We bowled fantastically well, even though they were tiring they kept beating the bat. It was a big ask to take 17 wickets in a day.”