TALK TIME IS THE CATALYST FOR STAFFS WIN

Stand-in captain Hill says reinforcing key attributes helped Staffordshire to see off rivals Lincs

- Chris Travers

MICHAEL Hill revealed that a Monday morning pep talk help to turn the tide in Staffordshire's NCCA Championship victory over Lincolnshire.

Staffs had enjoyed a positive start to the Division One clash at Checkley by bowling out their rivals for 246 after Hill won the toss and elected to bowl.

But they then fluffed their lines with the bat and closed the first day on 159-8 after a below-par batting display.

Hill himself struck 93 not out on the second morning to limit Staffordshire's first-innings deficit to just 28 runs.

They then dismissed Lincs for 263 to leave themselves a victory target of 292 - which was overhauled to complete a seven-wicket win before tea on Tuesday.

Matt Morris, inset, compiled a personal Staffordshire best of 113 not out and Hill added an unbeaten 87 - in an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 157 - to seal the run chase.