Staffordshire Development XI delivered a dominant performance to easily defeat their Cumbria counterparts in the North of England Cup.
Staffs, under the captaincy of Matthew Morris, ran out 143-run winners in the contest at Bignall End.
Staffordshire had seen their first match of the season against Northumberland called off because of the weather.
But they were quickly into their stride in seeing off Cheshire 2nd XI. And they followed that up with this comfortable victory over Cumbria.
Skipper Morris won the toss and had little hesitation in opting to bat first at Boon Hill.
Morris was an early victim when he fell for 16. However, Callum Hawkins and Gurjot Singh set about compiling a second-wicket stand of 54.
Hawkins departed for a well-crafted 49, while Tom Moulton was bowled for eight.
Singh and Callum Leese compiled another handy partnership before the latter was dismissed for 25.
Singh had reached 66, hitting nine fours, before he was run out. But Hasan Ahmed and Sam Atkinson hit the accelerator in the closing stages.
Ahmed compiled 40 not out and Atkinson made an unbeaten 39 as Staffordshire closed their 50 overs on 265-5.
‘Early success’
Cumbria’s run chase got off to a poor start when captain Nathan Waterston was trapped lbw by Clark Haddrell in the early stages.
And that set the tone for the visitors’ innings as Staffordshire chipped away at their rivals’ batting line-up.
Evan Williams made a spirited 39, but Cumbria soon found themselves 85-7 – and the outcome was decided.
James Bowman offered resistance with 24, but he was the last man to fall with the score on 122.
Seam did the trick for Staffordshire early in the innings as Atkinson struck and Scott Winnington claimed a couple of victims.
It was then left to spinners Anis Raza and Morris to pick up the baton to keep the pressure on the visitors.
Raza took two wickets and Morris’ off-spin yielded 3-26. It was the left to fellow spinner Leese to take the final wicket to fall.
The Development XI are back in action on Tuesday when they host North Wales at Stafford (11am).
Main image: Clark Haddrell picks up an early wicket in Cumbria’s run chase. Picture: Alfie Shenton
