Staffordshire picked up another two points in their NCCA Twenty20 Cup mission from the double header against Shropshire – but it really should have been all four.
Staffs squandered a golden opportunity to win the day’s opening Group One clash at Burslem as they went down by one run in pursuit of their rivals’ 183-5.
A lengthy rain delay then meant the second contest was reduced to five overs per side and although Staffordshire prevailed by seven wickets, there was certainly a sense that they had let a good chance to make their mark on the group go begging.
Twin wins would have been the ideal way to back up their win and defeat in the curtain raiser at Northumberland a couple of weeks ago.
As it was, just two more points were added to the tally ahead of next Sunday’s hop across the county border to play Cheshire at Nantwich.
Staffordshire were kicking themselves, though, that it wasn’t the perfect day at Festival Heights as they seemed odds-on to overhaul Shropshire’s tally in game one.
‘Cruise control’
Openers Nils Priestley and Liam Banks were in complete control of proceedings as they put on 92 in just 7.4 overs to break the back of the target.
The pair were in sublime form as they sent the Shropshire attack flying to all parts – but Priestley’s dismissal turned the tide and offered Shropshire a route back into matters.
Priestley had hit four fours and four sixes in his 25-ball 49 before he chanced his arm once too often and was bowled by George McCormack.
Matthew Morris (2) fell cheaply when he spooned a catch to point off spinner Lewis Evans, but even then Staffs were on top.
But gradually the brakes were applied by Shropshire’s bowlers as Staffordshire became somewhat stuck in the run-scoring stakes.
Callum Hawkins was bowled by Luke Thornton for 11 to leave Staffs 120-3 in the 14th over.
Banks was still in residence, though, and he motored past 50 and all eyes were on him to mastermind the route to victory.
But the run-rate started to creep up and a decisive breakthrough arrived in 17th over – with the score on 147 – when Banks holed out in the deep for 74, which featured seven fours and four sixes.
Reeve Evitts was quickly dismissed before skipper James Kettleborough was trapped lbw by Rav Chahal for 10.
‘Big finish required’
At that point the momentum has swung firmly in Shropshire’s favour and from a position of strength, the hosts needed 17 runs off the final over.
Liam Hurt hit spinner Charlie Home for two off the first ball, smashed the second for six and added another two off the third.
Jack bounces back and he’s ready to shine for Staffordshire
But having made 20, from the next delivery he was run out coming back for another double to leave Staffordshire needing six off two balls.
Sam Atkinson managed to find two off the penultimate ball, but could only do the same off the last as Staffs closed on 182-7 to lose by one run.
Earlier in the contest, the left-arm spin of Priestley accounted for Rahul Kaushal for eight in the opening over.
‘Key stand’
However, Sahal Malvernkar – who previously made one appearance for Staffs – and the experienced Tom Fell laid some firm foundations for Shropshire.
They advanced the score to 99 before Fell, who was dropped early in his innings, was bowled by Tom Brett, having made 52 and hit four fours and four sixes.
Brett pinned Thornton lbw two balls later and Seb Scott departed to Priestley as Shropshire found themselves 127-4 in the 14th over.
Malvernkar looked to be on course for a ton but with a couple of overs remaining to exited for 85.
He aimed for a big hit off paceman Hurt and was expertly snaffled by skipper Kettleborough in the deep. His knock contained five fours and the same number of sixes.
Shropshire closed on 182-5, which they may have felt was 20 or 30 short of where they should have been given their position at the halfway stage.
And having lost their opening two games to Cheshire, they were facing the prospect of a third straight defeat after Staffordshire’s flying start to the run chase.
But Staffs imploded and Shropshire seized their chance to put their first two points on the board.
‘Short encounter’
Staffordshire had already won the toss and elected to bowl before the rain prevented a prompt start to the second game.
The conditions improved to play the minimum five overs per side with the action getting underway at 5.30pm.
Staffs did well to limit their opponents to 37-5 from their shortened innings, with Priestley and Hurt both taking two wickets. Malvernkar top-scored with 21.
Staffordshire showed T20 capabilities, says skipper Ketts
Staffordshire reached 22-1 from two overs, but Shropshire hit back again with the wickets of Banks and Callum Leese.
But Hurt and Kettleborough used their experience to see Staffs to the winning line off the penultimate ball of the match.
Main image: Staffordshire’s Liam Hurt is run out in the opening NCCA Twenty20 Cup game against Shropshire. Picture: Pete Stonier