Staffordshire Under-21s opened up their fixtures for the season with a 90-run win against Herefordshire Development XI.
The future generation of county players performed impressively at Brockhampton to ultimately run out comfortable winners.
Staffs were invited to bat by their hosts – and put themselves in the driving seat with a fine display. They amassed 289-6 from their 50 overs.
Opener Tom Carrigan anchored proceedings with 87, which came off 101 balls and saw him strike 13 fours and one six.
He put on 84 for the second wicket with Checkley club-mate Tom Moulton (35).
Captain Callum Hawkins then upped the run-rate with a quickfire 83. He shared a fourth-wicket partnership of 63 with Carrigan.
Hawkins hit nine boundaries and one six in his 72-ball innings.
There was still time for Pip Jackson to add an unbeaten 24 as Staffordshire finished their innings with a flourish.
It looked like Staffs would be wrapping up an easy win once they reduced Herefordshire to 67-5 in their run chase.
But Imaad Mahmood then launched an astonishing attack on the visitors’ bowling to drag the hosts back into contention.
Mahmood blasted 10 fours and five sixes in his rapid 81. He faced just 81 balls.
But his dismissal signalled an end to Herefordshire’s chances as they were bowled out for 199.
Off-spinner Jack Batchelor, who was a target for Mahmood early in his innings, was the pick of the Staffordshire bowlers, finishing with 4-47.
There were also a couple of wickets for paceman Clark Haddrell, who helped to make early inroads into the Herefordshire innings.
Image: Tom Moulton was in the runs for Staffordshire Under-21s. Picture: Alfie Shenton
