Ketts out to take the title race right down to the wire

STAFFORDSHIRE HEAD TO PLAY CAMBS IN THE NCCA CHAMPIONSHIP KNOWING VICTORY IS THEIR ONLY OPTION IN DIVISIONAL TITLE DEFENCE

- Chris Travers

JAMES Kettleborough says his Staffordshire squad are ready to capitalise on a potentially enthralling last weekend in their NCCA Championship campaign.

Staffs make the trip to Peterborough to take on Cambridgeshire still in with a chance of retaining their Division One East title... but also facing the possibility of being relegated.

Defeat by Buckinghamshire at Stafford in their last outing took the destiny of the divisional crown out of Kettleborough and Co's hands as they prepare to head east this weekend for their final three-dayer. Suffolk are top on 51 points - but have finished their matches - with Bucks in second on 48, Staffs in third in 38, followed by Cambs (32) and Lincolnshire (20).

Buckinghamshire entertain Lincs in the other game taking place... with plenty up for grabs before the close of play on Tuesday.

Staffordshire need to win their match and hope Bucks fail to win, but Kettleborough's men also know they need seven points to guarantee survival if Lincs manage to take the spoils on their road trip.

But rather than concerning himself with matters at the foot of the table, skipper Kettleborough is focusing on putting pressure on Buckinghamshire in the race for the title.

"All we can do is focus on our game and hope to get the win because that's something we can control," said Kettleborough, left.

"The teams in the other match might set up a game, but there's nothing we can do about that. You have other matches like at Copdock (against Suffolk) where the opposition are less willing to set up a game, but all we can do is look to get 24 points.