Staffs bowlers leave it late to claim the win

Staffordshire won their race against time to bowl out Norfolk and claim victory on the final day of their Eastern Division clash at West Bromwich Dartmouth.

The visitors fell way short of the 341 required for victory in the Unicorns Minor Counties Championship clash.

But Staffordshire left it late to bowl them out for 195 yesterday evening. Resuming on 98-1, Staffs quickly built up a big lead early on the final day.

Opener Sam Kelsall reached 65 to add to his maiden Staffs ton in the first innings, with Tommy Steele (40) and Michael Hill (29) adding support.

The run rate was high, with Peter Wilshaw smashing 22 off 10 balls and then Matthew Godwin adding a run-a-ball 18, before skipper Kadeer Ali declared on 218-8.

Norfolk were 136-2 at one stage but a slow run rate, typified by opener Sam Arthurton's 61 off 135 balls, meant defeat for Staffs was never likely.

Instead it was a question of them beating the clock and from 136-2, Norfolk slumped to 195 all out, with the wickets shared among six bowlers as Staffs triumphed.