Staffordshire Over-50s secure silverware joy at Checkley

STAFFORDSHIRE Over-50s ensured their summer schedule ended with some silverware after defeating Worcestershire in the regional cup final.

The official ECB competition was scrapped because of the coronavirus pandemic, but Shropshire organised a local competition, which also involved Cheshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Warwickshire.

Staffs and Worcestershire finished in the top two places in the group, which led to them meeting in the final at Checkley.

And the two sides served up an excellent game, resulting in Staffordshire securing a 10-run win.

Staffs captain Guy Bulpitt won the toss and elected to bat before seeing his batsmen put a huge amount of scoreboard pressure on the visitors.

Jason Carrigan made 48 at the top of the order on his home ground, before the baton was passed to Tony Dutton.

Dutton hit eight fours in his 46-ball 56, before Stephen Scrimshaw kept matters ticking over nicely with an unbeaten 34.

Sultan Mahmood and Sunny Shah both picked up a couple of wickets for Worcestershire.

Worcestershire made decent progress in reply, led by Adam Potter’s 72.

However, he was dismissed by

Neil Crump before Bulpitt’s spin put the squeeze on as he returned 3-26.

Sean Cairney added 47 for Worcestershire, but despite a late flurry from Shah (24no) and Derek Austin (20no), they fell short on 2146 at the end of their 40 overs.

Andrew Woodward also took two wickets for Staffordshire.