Coach says Staffs will have to dig deep once again this weekend at Suffolk

CHRIS Milward says he wants to see some key Staffordshire habits on display once again in this weekend’s NCCA Championship game at Suffolk

- Chris Travers

Staffs make the long trip to Copdock for the second instalment of their Division One East campaign having opened their title defence with a seven-wicket victory over Lincolnshire at Checkley.

However, Staffordshire were forced to dig deep into their reserves to eventually secure the win after a disappointing opening day.

They had bowled out Lincs for 246, but then tumbled to 159-8 by the time stumps were drawn.

Staffs fought back, thanks to stand-in captain Michael Hill’s 93 not out, to ensure that their first-innings deficit was just 28 runs.

Lincolnshire were dismissed for 263 second time around, leaving the hosts needing 292 for the points... and they managed to wrap up matters by tea on the third day.

‘That was largely down to Matt Morris’ unbeaten 113, 87 not out from Hill, and Tom Moulton’s 50.

Coach Milward says the traits displayed by the squad will need to be on show once again when they take on Suffolk.

“In a game that ebbed and flowed the experience was good on the whole, said Milward.

“T was really chuffed with the way we bounced back after the first day. We left on Sunday not overly pleased with how we had performed.

“There was an honest conversation on Monday morning between the players, which was great to see.

“Tt was a case of good old-fashioned hanging in there. There were some great individual performances, not least by the captain, who showed his class.