Staffordshire Development XI secured a thrilling tie against Worcestershire Academy as part of this week’s double header.
Staffs had been beaten by Herefordshire on Wednesday, but dusted themselves down to play their part in an entertaining meeting with Worcestershire at Bromsgrove School.
Staffordshire were set 271 to win from their 50 overs – but looked behind the rate for most of their innings.
Tom Moulton compiled a fine 105, which featured 11 fours and one six, with Joe Hawkins chipping in with 20.
However, it needed the intervention of captain Jack Hammond to drag them back into contention.
Hammond struck 61 not out, off just 46 balls, while Sam Atkinson made 15 before he fell.
Number 11 Ben Holt strode to the crease and the equation ultimately boiled down to Staffs needing 13 off the final over.
Holt (14) found the boundary, but with one required off the last ball, he was stumped as the visitors were all out for 270.
Ben Clarke picked up 3-33 for Worcestershire Academy.
Earlier in the day, Worcestershire’s 270-6 had been centred around half-centuries from Oliver Cox and Flynn Gunston.
Cox hit five fours and one six in his 61, with Gunston’s 56 containing three boundaries.
Yusuf Akbar (48), Clarke (37) and Joseph Harrison (28) were also in fine form.
‘Home loss’
Staffordshire’s performance was the ideal way to bounce back from losing to Herefordshire at Milford Hall.
Staffs were dismissed for 197 in Wednesday’s clash, in which Hammond top-scored with 48 not out and Alec Price made 41.
Imaad Mahmood helped himself to 4-30 for the away side.
A rain delay meant Herefordshire’s target was reduced to 190 from 47 overs.
And they cruised to a six-wicket success inside 35 overs.
Luke Tulacz compiled a run-a-ball 67, stirking 10 fours and one six in the process.
Alex Hinkley weighed in with 39, with Mahmood following up his bowling exploits with 35.
Main image: Tom Moulton hit a century for Staffordshire Development XI in their tie with Worcestershire Academy.
