Staffordshire qualify for final

Staffordshire overpowered Bedfordshire to reach their first Minor Counties Knock-Out Trophy final since 1993, where they will play Norfolk at Durham.

The Staffs bowlers performed admirably to dismiss the visitors for 140 in reply to 237 for nine from their permitted 50 overs at Knypersley.

Star of the show was Craig Barker, who claimed 4-36 from 10 overs to add to his lower-order 33 which helped to boost Staffordshire’s total.

At 110 for three, Bedfordshire were still well in the hunt but the dismissal of Dan Bendon led to a major collapse as seven wickets fell for the addition of just 30 runs.

Liam Hughes provided the ideal foil to Barker, picking up 3-24 from seven overs of off-spin.

Put in to bat, Staffordshire were rocked with the fall of three wickets with the total on 28, but Dave Wheeldon restored stability to Staffordshire's innings with a 71-run partnership with Liam Hughes, who made 26..

Wheeldon was the seventh batsmen dismissed - caught and bowled by Andy Roberts for 67 from 83 balls with eight boundaries, an innings which was the cornerstone of the home side's final tally.