Staffordshire will need to show nerves of steel on the final day of their Division One East clash against Buckinghamshire if they are to be crowned champions.
Staffs closed the second day on 199-7 – leading by 215 runs – at High Wycombe, but the destination of the NCCA Championship divisional title is still up for grabs.
Lincolnshire, mathematically, can still top the table, although they would need a remarkable upturn in fortunes in their match with Suffolk to muscle their way back into contention.
So it looks like it’s a straight shootout between defending champions Bucks and 2019 winners Staffordshire for the right to progress to the overall final against Berkshire at West Bromwich Dartmouth next month.
Staffordshire’s game is beautifully poised for the neutral, but no doubt there will be nerves in both camps heading into what promises to be a thrilling final day.
The second day’s action ebbed and flowed throughout as the intrigue of NCCA cricket was put firmly in the spotlight.
Staffs could have built a far more substantial lead that the 16-run one they mustered after dismissing the home side 259.
‘Missed chances’
At one stage Bucks had tumbled to 137-7, but at that juncture Staffordshire let their title rivals off the hook to a degree.
Several presentable chances went begging from a Staffs perspective. And Buckinghshire took full advantage to leave their deficit fairly minimal.
Cameron Parsons top-scored with 61, while opener AJ Woodland made an unbeaten 55 in two stints after retiring hurt before returning later in the innings.
Spinner Tom Brett was the star turn with the ball for Staffordshire as he finished with 7-112 from a marathon 37-over spell.
Staffs then lost wickets at regular intervals in their second innings to leave the match finely poised.
Callum Hawkins (46), Matt Morris (43) and 31 apiece from Michael Hill and Reeve Evitts were the principal contributors to the visitors’ cause.
But slow left-armer Connor Haddow’s three wickets kept Buckinghamshire firmly interested in defending their crown.
The day had started with Bucks resuming on 68-2 in reply to Staffordshire’s 275-8 declared.
Paceman Liam Hurt made an early breakthrough for Staffs when he bowled nightwatchman Tom Weymes to leave Bucks on 79-3.
The momentum then seemingly swung Staffordshire’s way in the space of a couple of balls with the score on 105.
‘Twists and turns’
Woodland was forced to retire to the pavilion for treatment after being struck on the finger by a rising Hurt delivery.
And then the dangerous Alexei Kervezee was dismissed for a second-ball duck when he edged a Brett delivery to Hurt in the slips.
Ross Richardson, Danny Chapman and Ed Bragg then all fell in various guises to Brett to leave Bucks on 137-7.
However, that was when Staffordshire took their eye off the ball to some extent and allowed the home side to forge some partnerships which pulled them back into the match.
An 86-run stand between Parsons and Haddow – which featured Staffs’ profligacy – proved to be a vital intervention from Bucks’ angle.
They were eventually parted when Haddow, having made 34, nicked a Brett ball to keeper Hawkins.
Woodland returned to help Parsons to eke out some more runs, but the latter departed to lbw to Brett.
And the innings was wrapped up when Oliver Tucker accounted for Tom Hampton.
‘Tough going’
Staffs’ life would have been far easier with a more sizeable advantage, but they now set about their work with the bat.
Life was never going to be straightforward with the wicket continuing to offer some assistance to the slow bowlers.
Staffordshire were quickly reduced to 39-2 when Tom Moulton, pushed up to open, departed to Haddow.
And skipper James Kettleborough was then snapped up in the covers for a single to give Bucks another boost.
The rejigging in the away batting order continued with Hawkins promoted to number four.
It was a ploy which worked as the gloveman helped Morris to advance the score to 107-2.
But another twist occurred when both heading back to the dressing room without addition to the score.
Hawkins was bowled by Kervezee, while Morris edged Weymes through to keeper Richardson.
Michael Hill looked to take the challenge to the hosts’ bowling attack and he hit four fours and one six in his 31.
However, he was then pouched on the boundary by Weymes, off Hampton, to keep matters in the balance.
‘Late drama’
Staffordshire would have been looking to safely negotiate their way to the close at that point, but the rollercoaster nature of the day indicated that wouldn’t happen.
Evitts and Tucker both exited in the closing stages to leave Sam Atkinson (24no) and Hurt (1no) to guide the visitors to stumps.
There’s little doubt it’s going to be an exciting last day of action at High Wycombe.
Hold on to your hats. There will be cheers and tears in respective camps come to the close of play.
How those emotions fall remain to be seen. It’s going to be tense.
Main image: Staffordshire spinner Tom Brett took seven wickets in Buckinghamshire’s first innings. Picture: Allan Smith
