Staffordshire slumped to an emphatic 105-run defeat at the hands of Norfolk in their opening NCCA NV Play One-Day Trophy match of the season.
Staffs had started the day brightly enough at West Bromwich Dartmouth’s Sandwell Park ground by reducing the East Anglians to 52-3 in the eighth over after asking them to bat.
But that was arguably as good as it got for James Kettleborough’s men as Norfolk rallied to post 312-8 from their 50-over allocation.
Alfie Cooper (89) and Charlie Hood (65) settled the visitors with a fourth-wicket stand of 160, before Hami Qadri blasted a late unbeaten 63 to put Norfolk firmly in the driving seat.
Jake Garlick picked up three wickets for Staffordshire, with debutant Sam Keeling-Wright and Reeve Evitts striking twice apiece, while Matt Morris scooped the other wicket.
In reply, Staffordshire lost wickets at regular intervals and never really gained any momentum to challenge that imposing total.
Captain Ketts wants Staffordshire to crack Trophy code
Skipper Kettleborough top-scored with 55, with Dan Lincoln (30) and Callum Hawkins (24) making the other noteworthy contributions.
But Norfolk were far better in all departments, especially with the ball as they also feasted on scoreboard pressure to dismiss Staffs for 207.
One-day debutant Nathan Muggeridge helped himself to 4-22 on his debut, with spinners Qadri and Cameron Graveling sharing four scalps.
‘Similar story’
The defeat continued Staffs’ disappointing run in 50-over cricket.
For the past three seasons they have failed to progress from the group stages.
New head coach Chris Milward and assistant Pete Wilshaw had overseen an intense winter programme which they hoped would turn the tide in this particular format.
It’s only the first game, but it seemed to be the same old, same old from Staffordshire as they slid to defeat.
They do have three more matches to turn the tide – so no need to be truly alarmed at present – but Staffs would have hoped for far better as the curtain came up on a new summer schedule.
And there was plenty of optimism as fresh faces were given their county bows in the shape of Keeling-Wright, Lincoln and Ollie Walker.
Sam Kelsall was also back with his home county after spending time playing for Bedfordshire.
And when Kettleborough won the toss, he didn’t hesitate to invite opposite number Sam Arthurton to take first use.
‘Tribute’
Before play, though, there was a minute’s applause for former Staffordshire head coach Andy Carr, who passed away at the end of last season.
Players, officials and spectators showed their appreciation to a man who gave so much to local cricket.
It was then on to the match action.
The powerplay was certainly fast-paced, with Staffordshire seamers Keeling-Wright and Garlick beating the bat, but also seeing anything slightly off radar disappear across the quick outfield.
Arthurton (9) was first fall when he nicked a Garlick delivery through to keeper Callum Hawkins, before Ben Wilcox (4) provided Keeling-Wright with his maiden Staffs wicket.
Wilcox edged a fine ball from the former Herefordshire man to Walker at second slip to leave Norfolk 34-2.
Opener Freddie Fairey was looking pretty free-flowing and was quick to capitalise on any scoring opportunity.
However, having made 30, he went for a pull shot off Garlick, but top-edged the ball and was pouched superbly by Hawkins scampering back towards the pavilion.
‘Key stand’
At 52-3, Staffordshire had their rivals right where they would have wanted them, but Norfolk weren’t about to panic.
Cooper and Hood, despite their tender years, dug in and managed to keep rotating the strike while taking the sting out of the home attack.
By the time they were parted in the 35th over, they had advanced the total to 212 to leave their side with a platform to put their foot down in the closing stages.
It was Evitts’ medium pace which accounted for the pair – first having Hood caught behind by Hawkins, before the same combination sent Cooper packing.
Hood’s innings contained eight fours, with Cooper finding the boundary on 10 occasions.
But any hopes of keeping Norfolk down to a manageable score were dented by Qadri’s late hitting.
He plundered five fours and three sixes in his 44-ball innings to ease Norfolk over the 300-mark.
‘Attitude and desire are key ingredients for Staffordshire’
Staffordshire did keep plugging away with Morris, Keeling-Wright and Garlick all striking late on.
However, at the halfway stage, Staffordshire knew they faced a stern test if they were going to kick off proceedings with a win.
‘New-ball burst’
As it was, Muggeridge blew away the Staffs top order with an excellent spell on his debut.
The paceman found the right spot to have Morris (8), Evitts (18), Kelsall (17) and Walker (6) all back in the pavilion with just 57 runs on the board.
Staffordshire’s last realistic chance of challenging Norfolk came in the form of the fifth-wicket alliance between Kettleborough and Lincoln.
There were some positive signs as they used their experience to build the basis of a handy partnership.
But with the score on 105, Lincoln departed when his pull shot off Arthur Wilcox only found the hands of Fairey at deep mid-wicket.
Hawkins helped his captain put on 45 for the sixth wicket, but was then undone by Qadri and bowled.
Medal man Dan is eager to make Staffordshire impact
Kettleborough continued to fight valiantly and reached his half-century in what was now a losing cause.
Sam Atkinson was run out, before Kettleborough was stumped by Hood off Graveling.
It was only a matter of time now and the end came when Brett and Garlick fell to Graveling and Qadri respectively.
Main image: Staffordshire’s Reeve Evitts shows his disappointment after being dismissed in the NCCA NV Play One-Day Trophy defeat by Norfolk. Picture: David Peters