Staffordshire dismissed form National T20 Super-12s after two defeats - including with final ball
Staffordshire CCC's National Counties T20 Super-12s bid was over before it started due to two defeats on Sunday.
Four lots of four groups are in action over as many weekends to reach finals day on August 24 but Staffordshire, champions in 2023, were on the back foot immediately.
Weather meant for a delayed start of 2pm at Moddershall, where action was also adjusted to 10 over games - and James Kettleborough's Staffs lurched to a seven-wicket defeat in the opener against Norfolk.
Put in to bat, Staffordshire managed 66-6 from their 10 overs, where only opener Liam Banks (22) and wicketkeeper Callum Hawkins (17) managed double-figures.
Norfolk's scoring was more consistent as the chase was complete with seven wickets to spare and six balls remaining.
Nils Priestley did some damage with a couple of wickets but Norfolk got the job done.
Staffs then had to face Herefordshire with a win required to stay in the competition, but this time slumped to a six-wicket defeat in the short format.
They tabled 60-9 from 10 overs having been put in with Matthew Morris (16) and Liam Hurt (10 not out) the best this time as Herefordshire's bowling attack enjoyed a field day.
Herefordshire's reply started slowly as Rory Haydon claimed a couple of wickets but Matt Pardoe (18) and James Rudge (24*) steered their side home in dramatic style.
The visitors needed 13 to win in the last over, and the scores remained tied with a single ball remaining, but Rudge held his nerve to find the runs required with a four from the last ball to eliminate Staffs.
