Cambridgeshire await in last eight
May 20, 2025SUFFOLK will be away to Cambridgeshire in the quarter-finals of this season’s NCCA Trophy.
A 36-run loss in their final Group 2 game versus Shropshire at Mildenhall CC on Sunday saw Suffolk finish runners-up to their visitors.
They will now travel to Burwell & Exning CC on Sunday, June 1st to face Cambridgeshire, who topped Group 1 after beating Bedfordshire on Sunday.
The last-eight meeting will be a repeat of that at the same stage of last season’s competition. On that occasion Suffolk dismissed their hosts for 186, before imploding and being bowled out for 101.
It seems Suffolk still have an ability to self-destruct after a series of injudicious shots contributed to their downfall against both Herefordshire the previous week and again on Sunday.
Take nothing away from Shropshire, who bowled well, but needing less than five an over on a good batting wicket and fast outfield should have been within Suffolk’s grasp.
As Darren Ironside, who captured three wickets, said afterwards: “To restrict them to 235 was a really good effort, as that’s probably a score we would back ourselves to chase more often than not, so to fall short was pretty disappointing.”
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Shropshire got off to a flying start thanks to Rahul Kaushal and George Hargrave, who compiled an opening partnership of 118 in 20 overs.
Kaushal (65 off 61 balls) was then run out before Hargrave was dismissed off the final ball of the 28th over with the total on 156.
Hargrave was the first of Ironside’s victims and the all-rounder, who was playing on his home ground and the seventh bowler to be used, finished with figures of 10-0-40-3.
The off spinner was only eclipsed by Jack Beaumont, who also claimed two catches in addition to his 10-0-43-4.
After Shropshire had reached 160 for 2 after 30 overs, Suffolk fought back well to contain them to 235 for 9 at the end of their 50 overs.
Despite losing three wickets inside the opening ten overs, Jack Beaumont’s 45 from 53 ball meant Suffolk were well-placed at 135 for 4 with 17 overs remaining.
Adam Jones, who had started to grow in confidence, was then lbw for 26, and three overs later Alex Oxley slashed a short ball into the hands of Hargrave after top-scoring with 55.
Jacob Marston’s 29 off 27 offered brief respite, but too many soft dismissals across the course of the innings cost Suffolk dearly and with it the chance of being group winners.
Tags: Darren Ironside, Jack Beaumont, mildenhall cc, NCCA Trophy, Shropshire
Categorised in: Suffolk CCC