Staffordshire are gearing themselves up for a final-day fight in the NCCA Championship final after Berkshire seized complete control of the contest.
Berkshire had opened up a lead of 267 by the close of day three after reaching 168-2 in their second innings at West Bromwich Dartmouth.
They had earlier dismissed Staffordshire for 283 to be 99 runs ahead on first innings – and then went about building on that advantage in a lengthy evening session.
Rhys Lewis ended the day unbeaten on 78, with Charlie Dunnett overnighting on 49 not out.
The big question now is what total Berkshire will set Staffordshire to chase in the closing chapter of this summer’s showpiece event. Unless, of course, Staffs bowl them out.
Either way, Staffs would seemingly need to tackle a record score to win or, more likely, bat whatever time is afforded them to salvage a draw and share the title.
The inclement weather which has dogged the final at various points reared its ugly head again before the start of the third day.
And that meant that the players didn’t take to the field until 1.30pm, with Staffs resuming their first innings on 163-3 in reply to Berkshire’s 382 all out.
‘Staffs aim’
The ambition for Staffordshire, as Reeve Evitts and Callum Hawkins walked to the crease, would have been to get as close to Berkshire’s total as possible.
But those aspirations hit some early trouble as Berkshire’s attack proved to be a pretty impressive force once more.
Staffs had added 14 to their overnight score before Hawkins was the first man to fall.
He had made six when he was adjudged to have tickled a Tommy Sturgess delivery through to keeper Daniel O’Driscoll.
Sturgess was in a fine rhythm, and extracting movement, and he then removed Evitts (30) with the scoreboard showing 188.
Evitts looked to take on a bouncer, but only succeeded in top-edging the ball, which allowed O’Driscoll all the time in the world to steady himself and take a steepler.
Staffordshire’s hopes of limiting Berkshire’s lead were soon out of the window when they lost the experienced Michael Hill to leave them on 194-6.
Off-spinner Euan Woods got one to grip out of the footholes and Hill could only nick the ball to Dan Lincoln at slip.
Debutant James Abbotts settled himself at the crease, but Sturgess proved to be too good for him.
Abbotts had made nine when he was undone by a Sturgess yorker and had his furniture rearranged.
‘Follow-on fears’
That left Staffs on 206-7 – and there was a genuine prospect that they might not reach the follow-on target of 233.
Those fears were allayed, though, as Sam Atkinson and Liam Hurt combined to forge a much-needed partnership.
They played sensibly and managed to advance the score to 253 before they were parted.
Hurt had made 22 when he miscued a back foot shot off left-arm spinner Luke Beaven and was caught at backward point by Rhys Lewis.
Atkinson was continuing on his merry way with some delightful shots which highlighted his ever-increasing confidence.
But he was soon waving goodbye to Olly Tucker, who was caught by Sturgess off Beaven to leave Staffs on 269-9.
All eyes were now on Atkinson as to whether, in conjunction with Tom Brett, they could eke out some valuable runs.
Atkinson was the last to fall, though, having made 49 when he holed out to Woods at deep mid-wicket to give Sturgess final figures of 5-82.
‘Key period’
Staffordshire knew realistically that their best chance of staying on Berkshire’s coat-tails would be to take some early wickets.
They did have some early success when first-innings ton maker Johnny Connell (8) was expertly caught by Evitts in the gully off Hurt.
Berkshire were 25-1 at that point, and it wasn’t until the total reached 68 that Staffs picked up their second victim.
Spinner Brett, who had just been hit for six by Woods, exacted revenge when he bowled the left-hander for 24.
Staffs needed two or three more wickets before Berkshire reached three figures, but that scenario never developed.
Hurt was by far the pick of the Staffs bowling as he charged in like a raging bull and caused problems for the batsmen.
However, Lewis and Charlie Dunnett looked increasingly comfortable as Staffordshire tired in the evening sunshine.
That meant Berkshire could steadily build their lead to put themselves in a commanding position.
Berkshire have displayed why they have won five titles in the last decade since Staffs last triumphed back in 2014.
A betting man would strongly favour Berkshire adding another title to their collection.
But this group of Staffordshire players never give up and will fight to the finish.
They will need to bring their A game to the party on day four to stand any chance of emerging with some form of positive result.
And, looking at the scoreboard, leaving Sandwell Park with even a draw might seem like a victory at this juncture.
Main image: Sam Atkinson made 49 for Staffordshire in the NCCA Championship final against Berkshire. Picture: Alfie Shenton
