Minor Counties Championship Round Up

Injured Norfolk leg-spinner Andy Clarke, unable to bowl after pulling a hamstring on Wednesday, blocked out the final four balls of the match to deny Staffordshire a dramatic Minor Counties victory at Stone.

Norfolk, who haven't won in Staffordshire since 1967, were set a target of 231, and reached the final 20 overs well-placed on 133 for three, ex-Derbyshire batsman Steve Goldsmith having chipped in a cameo 53 off 45 balls.

With 10 overs remaining they were 179 for six but David Womble then returned for a second spell of three for 14 off five overs, taking the ninth wicket with the second ball of the final over when he had Paul Newman caught behind. Norfolk finished on 214 for nine.

Graeme Archer had topscored in Staffordshire's second innings of 222 for seven, his 61 off 87 balls including seven fours and two sixes before he holed out over mid-wicket - caught by substitute fielder Shaun Jenkinson from the Stone club!

Minor Counties Championship
Stone: Staffs 158-5 & 222-7 (GF Archer 61, CS Carey 4-60) Norfolk 150-8 & 214-9 (SC Goldsmith 53, DR Womble 3-45) Drawn. Staffs 4 Norfolk 2