Minor Counties Championship Round Up

Graeme Archer bit the bullet to help Staffordshire get within 22 runs of Cambridgeshire's first innings total on the opening day of the Minor Counties match at March.

The former Nottinghamshire batsman retired hurt with a bruised wrist before he had got off the mark, but returned to contribute a lusty 32 in a sixth-wicket stand of 57 in just 10 overs with David Womble (30).

Laurie Potter had earlier made 49 as Staffordshire reached 164 for eight off 51 overs in reply to Cambridgeshire's 186 for eight off 65.1. Cambridgeshire had recovered from 38 for three, with Nigel Gadsby (68) and ex-Derbyshire allrounder Frankie Griffith (40) assembling a fourth-wicket stand 79, but they only managed one batting bonus point in reaching 153 for five at the end of the 50th over. Staffordshire just bettered that on 158 for seven off 50.

There was a bizarre close to the day when Staffordshire lost their eighth wicket off the fourth ball of the final over. The umpires incorrectly called time and when visiting skipper Steve Dean protested, the game was restarted seven minutes later for the remaining two balls.

Minor Counties Championship
March: Cambs 186-8 (NT Gadsby 68) Staffs 164-8 (TS Smith 4-37)