National glory for Staffordshire Under-18s

Staffordshire’s under-18 cricketers claimed the National T20 Trophy after defeating neighbours Cheshire in the final played at Denby Cricket Club in Derbyshire.

Batting first, Cheshire reached 136 for nine from their 20 overs, with Zach Thompson scoring 46 as they recovered from losing the first three wickets for five runs. Joe Thorne claimed 3 for 20 for Staffordshire.

Replying, Staffordshire were soon in trouble losing their first four wickets for 27.

But a stand of 79 between wicketkeeper Joe Wright and captain James Lee took the score to 106 for five when Wright departed for 49, which included four fours and two sixes.

Staffordshire lost their sixth wicket a run later but Lee, with an unbeaten 39 and Alfie Womble (17no) saw Staffordshire home with seven balls to spare and clinch the National T20 Trophy.

Earlier in the day, Staffordshire had defeated Buckinghamshire in the semi-final, scoring 182 for 4 with an unbeaten 88 from Arjun Annamalai with Niall McHale scoring 33 and Joe Wright 21.

In reply, Buckinghamshire were dismissed for 140 in the final over, with Gurshan Singh claiming 3 for 25, while there were two wickets each for Alfie Womble, Joe Thorne and Isaac McKeown.

In the other semi-final, Cheshire progressed to the final with victory over Berkshire.