Staffs miss out despite win

Staffordshire ended the season on a bitter-sweet note after victory over Cambridgeshire failed to secure a place in the Minor Counties Championship final.

The nine-wicket triumph represented a third successive win for Staffs, but they finished six points adrift of Lincolnshire at the top of the Eastern Division.

Staffs captain Richard Harvey was left to rue his side’s heavy defeat to the eventual champions in the opening game, which ultimately decided which team went through to next month’s final at Alderley Edge CC.

Staffs began the final day against Cambridgeshire requiring a further 73 to win, and they required just 12.2 overs and 50 minutes to reach their target and beat the rain, which arrived less than half an hour after victory had been claimed.

Despite their comprehensive victory, Harvey admitted to “a tinge of disappointment” at Staffs’ near miss.

“Yet again we have come so close,” he said. “I really thought we could win something this year, but it's not to be.

“Against Lincolnshire we had a very bad game. We then had a bad hour in the match against Oxfordshire in the cup and that has been the difference.

“On the whole we have played some very good cricket. We are a really close unit.

“We look for consistency in selection but injuries and unavailability is always a problem.

“The lads who have come in have done well; I never felt we were carrying anyone. They have stepped up to the challenge and that is good for the future.”

Looking at the performance against Cambridgeshire, he added: "We were very good and showed what we are capable of.

“We outplayed them in all departments. If the batting performs then we know we have the attack to win games.

“Gareth (Morris) is bowling really well and everyone has backed him up.

“Mo (Sheikh) is a different class - he has got better and better. He is a quality player who is capable of taking games away from teams.

“Peter Wilshaw has really upped his game. He is much more mature and is now a dominant figure at the top of the order. It is really pleasing to have finished the season so well."

Chairman Nick Archer summed up the campaign by saying: “Apart from one week in June when we lost to Lincolnshire and Oxfordshire we have played pretty well.

“Lincolnshire were the only side better than us. We had two of our matches badly affected by the weather, which didn't help us, and we won our other three.”