Staffs battling to avoid deficit after 18 wickets fall on day one
Staffordshire are fighting to avoid a sizeable first innings deficit after 18 wickets fell on the first day of their NCAA Championship match against Lincolnshire.
After putting the visitors in and bowling them out for 246, Staffs finished the day at Checkley on 159-8, 87 runs behind with just two wickets in hand.
It meant the visitors were on top after a day which had begun with Sam Atkinson claiming his first career five-wicket haul.
The 20-year-old removed both openers and at 112-5, Lincolnshire were seriously wobbling.
Yet they were steadied by an 83-run sixth wicket stand between Jordan Cook (68) and Drew Sylvester (40), before Atkinson took his third scalp to break the partnership.
Jake Garlick and Tom Brett both finished with two wickets each.
Staffs openers Tom Moulton and Matthew Morris put on 42 for the first wicket as the hosts made a steady start in reply.
They were still going well at 94-2 but the wicket off Reece Evitts sparked a collapse with five going down for the addition of just 34 runs.
Michael Hill (39 not out) remained at the finish but when Liam Hurt became the fourth victim of Alex Moor, with just two overs of the day remaining, Lincolnshire were well on top.
