Minor Counties Championship Round Up

An unwanted 27-year-old record is looming large for Staffordshire after they had to hang on for a draw against Suffolk at Leek.

Not since the 1973 season have they gone through a championship campaign without a win to their name, but that is now the prospect staring them full in the face as they look ahead to their final fixture against Bedfordshire at Walsall on August 20 and 21.

Suffolk had Staffordshire against the ropes at 75 for six in the final innings of the game with more than 21 overs left. Richard Pineo (five for 29) hit the stumps four times in six overs to do the damage and it needed Richard Harvey (23 not out in 29 overs) to stave off defeat.

Suffolk, 28 runs ahead after Staffordshire declared at their overnight total, had earlier built patiently around opener Russell Catley's unbeaten 86 off 172 balls. Chris Seal picked up the tempo towards the declaration at 199 for five by hitting 37 off 44 balls in an unbroken sixth wicket stand of 75 with Catley.

Minor Counties Championship
Lakenham: Herts 295-4 Norfolk 19-0. No play. Abandoned. Norfolk 5 Herts 5
Leek: Suffolk 205-8 & 199-5 (RJ Catley 86 not) Staffs 177-7 & 129-8 (RW Pineo 5-29) Drawn. Staffs 5 Suffolk 4