It was on the third afternoon of the NCCA Championship final when a key trait of this emerging Staffordshire team was perfectly highlighted.
Staffs had conceded a first-innings lead of 99 to serial winners Berkshire at West Bromwich Dartmouth to leave themselves behind the game.
Some sides might have felt sorry for themselves. Others might have already accepted the inevitable that Berkshire were about to pile up a huge score and then bowl them out.
This Staffordshire team didn’t. They had the mindset that they could skittle their rivals for a meagre score and then knock off the runs on the final day.
It didn’t quite pan out that way and the title was shared, but Staffs’ approach in the formative stages of Berkshire’s second innings was NCCA cricket at its very best.
The 11 players wearing the famous knot were up for the fight.
‘Fiery spell’
Paceman Liam Hurt was the catalyst. The former Lancashire quick has bowled a few rapid spells during his two seasons with Staffs, but none quite like the marathon effort he produced on that third afternoon.
Pushing off from close to the sightscreen at the Birmingham Road end, he had Johnny Connell caught by Reeve Evitts in the gully, who was knocked off his feet taking the catch, such was the ferocious nature of the delivery.
And, remarkably, Hurt got quicker as his 12-over spell developed. Straining every sinew, limbs pumping, he did his utmost to rattle Berkshire.
Day Four report: Staffordshire earn share of NCCA Championship title
At one stage, Staffordshire might have been searching for a new wicketkeeper. One delivery almost decapitated gloveman Callum Hawkins, who was stood fully 30 yards back, and raced away for four byes.
Hurt only picked up one wicket, and deserved much more, but his lung-busting effort typified everything good about this group of Staffordshire players.
The team of the early 1990s, which swept all before them, never took a backward step – and Hurt wasn’t in the mood to either.
Captain James Kettleborough was stationed at first slip and probably praying an edge didn’t come his way. He’d have done well to see it, let alone catch it.
In fact, he might have been safer standing on the 18th green of the neighbouring Sandwell Park golf course.
“You won’t see a spell of bowling as quick as that in NCCA cricket,” said Kettleborough.
“Between overs six and 12 he was as fast as you’ll witness. His energy levels and stamina were exceptional.
“Liam put in the hard yards and he certainly stepped up when we needed him. He put in a shift and he didn’t get the rewards he deserved. On another day it could have been so different.”
‘Digging deep’
As it was, Berkshire found their way to 283-3 before declaring on the fourth and final afternoon.
That left Staffordshire needing an unlikely 383 for victory in a minimum of 55 overs – and they safely negotiated the draw by posting 142-2.
That earned them a share of the title and maintained their record as the most successful Championship side in NCCA history.
Day Three report: Staffordshire on the back foot as Berkshire show quality
Staffordshire have won 14 titles – 12 outright and now two shared.
There were 130 overs lost due to rain over the four days, but Kettleborough was pleased with how his side stood up to the test posed by all-conquering Berkshire.
“The amount of time we lost with the weather took the edge off it a little bit,” admitted Kettleborough.
“But we got near-enough three days of cricket in and if you take away the context of a four-day final, it’s normally enough time to get a result.
“Both sides wanted to win, so when it pans out to be a draw I suppose it can be a bit of an anti-climax.
“It was a surprise that they batted on as long as they did, but I also understand why they did what they did.
‘Interesting declaration’
“I thought they could have gone harder and been more positive against us and taken less time out of the game.
“Once they set us that target it was pretty clear about how we wanted to play. We had clarity in our approach and it was important to get through the first 10, 15 or 20 overs.
Day Two report: Staffordshire duo impress, but rain is the real winner
“That helped us to put the game to bed. We had a brief discussion, but it was really an unachievable expectation to chase that down especially with the risk involved which would have played into their hands.
“They had full control of the game at that point. The hard work we had put in our the course of the final, we didn’t deserve to lose.
“I’ve no doubt that Berkshire will say that they dominated the game. I wouldn’t totally disagree. But there were periods of play where we were ahead.”
‘Chances go begging’
One of those spells was on the first morning. Staffordshire, having won the toss and elected to field, reduced Berkshire to 109-5.
However, Connell and Josh Lincoln then carved out contrasting centuries to guide Berkshire to 382 all out.
Staffs then had to work hard to get 283 all out in their first innings as their rivals showcased quality with the ball.
“At 109-5 on the first day, we were in the driving seat,” said Kettleborough. “A couple of chances went down before tea from the lads who both got hundreds. If we had taken them it could have been a different story.
“Berkshire have a new-ball attack (Tommy Sturgess and Toby Greatwood) who have played pro cricket in the last couple of years and they bowled well.
“Me and Tom (Moulton) enjoyed the challenge and had a bit of fun out there as well. We didn’t bow down, but we stuck out our chests and showed plenty of fight. When they got a big score on the board it was important that we didn’t lose early wickets.
“We were hoping for a smaller deficit on first innings, but lost wickets early on day three. Sam Atkinson and Liam Hurt played really well and got it down to double figures which was important psychologically.”
‘Proud captain’
Then came that spell from Hurt which captivated the Sandwell Park crowd.
Berkshire, to their credit, rode the storm. Rhys Lewis’ 105 not out and 97 from Charlie Dunnett ultimately saw them to a total where they felt comfortable to declare.
“We had them 60-2 second innings and if we had got them 100-4 or five, we would have limited the risk they could have taken and what that final score could have been,” explained Kettleborough.
Day One report: Connell and Lincoln put Berkshire in control on opening day of final
“Lewis and Dunnett played nicely and stuck around. The last morning a couple of chances went down, but we never felt out of the game. We might have been a bit behind where we would have liked to have been.
“I look back on our performance with confidence. We wanted to be in those type of positions.
“We went there to perform and win the trophy, we didn’t just go to take part.
“It’s mixed emotions for me. There’s an element of disappointment that we couldn’t win the game outright, but most of all it is pride about what this group has achieved.”
Main image: Liam Hurt produced a superb spell of quick bowling in the NCCA Championship final against Berkshire. Picture: Alfie Shenton
