Ketts urges Staffordshire to rise to challenge

JAMES Kettleborough insists Staffordshire must focus on the task in hand as they look to prolong their interest in the NCCA Knockout Trophy.

- Chris Travers

A victory over Herefordshire and defeat at the hands of Suffolk over the Bank Holiday weekend left Staffs with a clear-cut scenario as they bid to qualify from Group Two.

They must beat Shropshire at Shifnal on Sunday and then emerge victorious from their final group encounter at Norfolk to give themselves a chance of qualifying for the latter stages.

However, Kettleborough is also fully aware that losing at Shropshire this weekend, coupled with a Suffolk victory over Herefordshire, would see Staffs eliminated at the group stage for the third successive season.

There are plenty of permutations heading into the final two weekend of this white-ball block, but captain Kettleborough is eager to just adopt a simplistic approach to qualification matters.

"I'm not worried about the Suffolk game this weekend, it's just about us and it's a win/lose match," said Kettleborough.

"It's a tough game. Shropshire gave us a beating last season in the Trophy and have two wins from two so far this year.

"We've had a couple of matches and there have been loads of positives for us to take.

"We know that if we turn up and put in the type of performance we're capable of, then we can win.