Staffs fall one wicket short at the end of a three day thriller!

STAFFORDSHIRE’S hopes of retaining the NCCA Championship Division One East title are out of their hands after a one-wicket defeat by Buckinghamshire.

- Chris Travers

An absorbing encounter at Stafford saw both sides in the ascendency on the final day, but ultimately it was the visitors who held their nerve to seal victory by the narrowest of margins.

Staffs would have fancied their chances after reducing Bucks to 136-6 shortly after lunch as they pursued their 225-run target.

However, Ed Bragg (29no), Ryan Friend (19) and Teddy Fleming (34) all made decisive contributions to their side’s cause.

There was still time for some late drama as, with five runs required and three wickets in hand, Fleming was dismissed by Tom Brett.

Left-arm spinner Brett then bowled Cameron Parsons with the scores level, but Bragg kept his composure - alongside last man Conner Haddow - to see Bucks over the line.

Staffordshire will look back on some key moments which could have made a difference, notably when opener Billy Dodds had his off stump pegged back by Jacob Garlick, but the Staffs seamer had overstepped.

The hosts also conceded 28 extras which didn’t help their cause, but despite the disappointing result, it was a fantastic advert for the National Counties Cricket Association.

Buckinghamshire had resumed on 37-1 at Riverway for the third and final chapter of the contest.