The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Lincolnshire claimed the Unicorns (Eastern Division) Championship crown after an eight-wicket victory over Staffordshire in their final league match of the season.
Their 23-point haul was enough to pip Northumberland – who had beaten Cambridgeshire by two wickets – to the title by virtue of a superior run rate.
They will now meet Western Division champions Berkshire in a four-day fixture starting on Sunday at Wormsley.
In their final Championship fixture at Knypersley, Lincolnshire brought Dominic Brown into the side to replace the unavailable Louis Kimber and Matt Carter came in for James Kimber.
Staffordshire won the toss and elected to bat.
Martin Weightman dismissed opener Sam Kelsall with the total on 20 before Kadeer Ali and Tom Steele added 97 for the second wicket to leave Staffordshire on 117-2.
The home side’s scoring rate at this stage was a modest one but, when Tim Maxfield joined Ali, the tempo increased.
Ali was dismissed by Weightman for 111 and Maxfield by Matt Carter for 95.
The home side’s eighth wicket fell at 327, but the vital ninth wicket could not be taken as Paul Byrne (32no) and Greg Willett (27no) added an unbeaten 55 to leave Staffordshire on 382-8 after their allotted 90 overs. Weightman, with 4-70, was Lincs’ most successful bowler.
Lincolnshire had 17 overs to negotiate before the close of play on day one and Jonny Tattersall and Harry Warwick saw them safely to 51-0 by the close.
Lincolnshire’s minimum target on day two was 325 to ensure maximum batting points.
Warwick fell early with the total on 54, then Conrad Louth and Tattersall added 85 before Louth was dismissed for 46.
Brown joined Tattersall and the total passed 200 before the latter was caught behind for 88.
Brown and Tillcock then added 83 before Tillcock was caught behind for 33 in 35 balls.
Brown reached a fine century and finished on 123 not out, including 11 fours and four sixes, as Lincolnshire declared on 346-5 off 84 overs, a deficit of 36 runs, but with maximum four batting points in the bag.
Staffordshire commenced their second innings just before tea on day two and Alex Willerton dismissed the dangerous Ali with the score 7-1.
After tea Lincs gained a stranglehold as Willerton tore through the top order and they slumped to 94-7, closing the day on 102-7 with a lead of 138.
Overnight news was that Northumberland, while gaining the maximum four bowling points, had only secured one batting point so the teams were now level on points.
If Lincolnshire could force victory, their vastly superior run rate would see them as champions even if Northumberland won.
On day three the Staffordshire tail-enders showed resistance, adding a precious 68 to their overnight total before being dismissed for 170, leaving Lincolnshire a victory target of 207.
Willerton with 4-31 was Lincs’ outstanding bowler.
Lincs set about their task in attacking mode and, despite losing the early wicket of Warwick, took a firm grip on the match.
Tattersall and Louth added 122 for the second wicket before Tattersall was caught for 57.
Louth continued to attack, finishing with 112 not out off 73 balls, including 12 fours and four sixes, and together with Brown saw Lincolnshire to victory by eight wickets in mid-afternoon.
