STAFFS BEAT WEATHER AND WALES
STAFFORDSHIRE made a winning start to their NCCA Knockout Trophy campaign with a threewicket victory over Wales at Himley.
Bad weather reduced the contest to a 35 overs per side match and Staffs successfully chased down Wales’ 179 all out to win with 10 balls to spare.
Paul Byrne’s 3-35 had been key to limiting Wales, while Zen Malik and Michael Hill were the architects of Staffordshire’s run chase.
The pair joined forces with the hosts on 56-2 and compiled a third-wicket partnership of 79 to put Staffs on course for the points in the Group Four game.
Hill departed for 45 to bring an end to their alliance - and Malik wasn’t too far behind after being dismissed for 48.
A wobble ensured in the middle order as Staffordshire’s inexperience told to a degree when it mattered most.
Tom Hope, Louis Allison and Grant Thornton fell in pursuit of victory, but Jack Redman and Alex Coates managed to steer the home side over the line.
Earlier, Wales failed to fully capitalise on a solid start to their innings as Staffs - who had won the toss - reeled in their opponents to stem the run rate.
The visitors would have been targeting a score in excess of 200 after making their way to 84-2 in the 15th over.
But Staffordshire took a grip on proceedings and, aided by some indifferent batting, managed to keep the target within range.
Spin also proved to be the perfect weapon for Staffs as Wales struggled to find a way to knock the hosts out of their stride.
Staffs were quick off the mark in their run chase as Riki Wessels contributed a rapid 27 before he departed with the score on 41.
Malik was dropped when he had made four, but Wales did earn another reward with the score on 56.
Mellor attempted to sweep spinner Phillips, but only managed to top edge it to Smith at short fine leg to leave the arena for 21.
Hill announced his arrival by shimmying down the track and launching Phillips for a straight six.
Malik was able to play his natural game as Hill played enforcer to punish any bad ball which came his way.
Hill, who had a tough time in the T20 format, looked back to his best, although he was afforded a life when he was dropped at backward point on 37.
He had added eight more to his tally before he was trapped lbw by Rich Edwards to deny him what would have been a deserved halfcentury.
Malik also missed out on 50 when his pull shot off Morris went up in the air to Bevan at point with the score on 145.
The pressure began to tell on Staffs with new batsmen at the crease but they found a way to win, although they will know they made it far tougher than they should have done.
A victory was all that mattered, although Staffordshire will know there is plenty of room for improvement as they head to Warminster to take on Wiltshire next Sunday.
In the other Group four game, Buckinghamshire easily beat Wiltshire by six wickets.
THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF ANOTHER COMPELLING WEEKEND OF CRICKET IN THE NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE AND SOUTH CHESHIRE LEAGUE ARE CAPTURED ON PAGES FOUR TO SEVEN