Atkinson’s haul of five wickets not quite enough for Staffordshire

SAM Atkinson picked up his maiden five-wicket haul for Staffordshire, but it was Lincolnshire who edged the opening day of the NCCA Championship encounter at Checkley.

- Chris Travers

Atkinson’s 5-70 was integral to Lincolnshire being dismissed for 246 in the formative stages of the Division One East clash at the Four Trees venue, but the visitors then roared back in the evening session.

Staffordshire closed on 159-8, in which opener Matt Morris topscored with 45 and captain Michael Hill, deputising for the unavailable James Kettleborough, made 39 not out.

And not for the first time in Staffordshire’s recent history, the run-scoring responsibility rests on Hill's shoulders as he looks to guide the tailenders through the rest of the innings.

Staffs’ venture to the crease wasn't the way they would have envisaged backing up Atkinson’s five wickets, after what was a topsyturvy first part of the day.

Lincolnshire were grateful to Jordan Cook’s 68, 41 from Sam Evans and Drew Sylvester's 40 for helping them to their tally after they were invited to bat.

Staffordshire bowled impressively throughout the morning session, but tailed off slightly in the early part of the afternoon before they eventually managed to drag things back and wrap up Lincs’ innings.

Missed opportunities were at the heart of Staffs’ fielding display as they put down a number of catches, including two inside the first couple of overs.

‘That was hardly the start they would have wanted to their divisional title defence, but they gradually settled into their work during a morning passage of play which was conducive to bowling.