Staffordshire Cricket hits the right notes

 

 

Staffordshire Cricket has had some wonderful successes in the last month. With fantastic performances for England under 15s from Moddershall’s Sam Kelsall and good performances for the Midlands from Richard Brazier, Greg Massingham and Tom Fell. The County under 17 girls also reaching the national final.

 

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Brazier and Massingham off to Taunton

Stafford Cricket club's Richard Brazier and Greg Massingham from Little Stoke have been selected for the Midlands under 13's. After good performances for Staffordshire this season, this is a good reward for both lads.

 

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Sam in the runs for England

Moddershall's Sam Kelsall has just starred for England under 15's as they defeated England under 16's 2-1 at Loughborough in a 3 match series.

Game one was played on the 6th August with the under 16's reaching 305-3 off 50 overs.
Sam was in great form with 60 in the reply, putting on 125 with Singh for the 2nd wicket. Despite this partnership the under 15's fell 53 runs short at 252-8.

Game two saw the under 16's again post a great score of 303-7 off 50 overs with Sam bowling 2 overs for 8 runs.

The under 15's however paced their reply to perfection winning the game with 3 balls to spare. Sam scored 85 and featured in stand for the opening two wickets of 89 and 83

Game three saw the under 15's bat first. Sam scored 54 and featured in an opening stand of 119 as the boys posted 145-6 off 50 overs.

The under 16's reply stuttered under the pressure of good bowling, Sam gaining 2-44 off 8 overs. The under 16's were eventually all out for 230, leaving the under 15's series winners. 

 

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County under 17's retain place in Division 1

Staffordshire under 17's under the coaching of Alan Hill and the management of Tony Thane, pulled off a fine achievement in finishing third in division one north.

After losing at home to Lancashire, Staffs were further troubled by the loss to England of star batsman Jack Manuel.

Under the captaincy of Joe Leach, Staffs did beat second place Durham at Walsall in the penultimate game. This was a very mature performance that included centuries by Michael Hill and Tim Maxfield as well as a good contribution from Alex Hughes.

The title was won by Yorkshire who only narrowly defeated Staffs at Tamworth earlier in the competition.

 

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South West felled by Tom

Wolverhampton batsman Tom Fell was the star man as the Midlands beat the South West by 6 wickets at Loughborough, in the under 14 regional festival.

The South West were bowled out for 159 with the Midlands knocking off the runs for 4 wickets with Tom scoring 54.

Also starring for the Midlands with 49 was Steve Leach. Steve played his cricket for Staffs until under 13 level but after gaining a scholarship at Shrewsbury school is now playing for Shropshire due to travel issues.

It is hoped within the next two years Steve will be back within the Staffs ranks.

 

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Ten Wicket win in Semi Final for Girls 17's

The Staffs under 17 girls team have once again reached the National final for the second successive season.

Having beaten Warwickshire in the quarter final on Monday 11th August by 2 wickets at Nutbrook C.C. in Derbyshire Staffs went through to play in the semi final.

In the semi final payed at Loughborough University on Friday 15th August, Staffs were expecting a tough game as Kent were the team that beat Staffs in the final last season.

Georgia Elwiss the captain won the toss and asked Kent to bat first.

Staffordshire's bowlers were outstanding on the day and managed to bowl Kent out for 91 off 44 overs with all the bowlers contributing with some tight accurate bowling.

Staffs England players Georgia Elwiss and Danni Wyatt then came in to open the batting and batted superbly to knock off the total in 28 overs without loss.

Danni Wyatt finished on 45 not out and Georgia Elwiss 38 not out to give Staffordshire a stunning ten wicket victory.

Staffs now go to Taunton on Saturday 6th September to play Somerset in the final.

Staffs were the first minor county to have reached a National Girls final in 2007 and now intend to be the first Minor county to win a National final in 2008.

 

For further information please contact: 

Jason Britton
County Cricket Development Manager
T: 07827 307745
E: jason.britton@ecb.co.uk