Same approach for Suffolk

June 20, 2025

SUFFOLK will approach their NCCA Trophy Semi-Final like any other game they play, according to head coach Adam Mansfield.

They face Shropshire, who topped Group 2 and have won all five of their matches in this season’s competition, in the last four at Shifnal CC on Sunday, start 11am.

Shropshire defeated Suffolk by 36 runs when the two sides met in their group game at Mildenhall just five weeks ago.

However, Suffolk edged out Herefordshire on net run-rate to qualify as runners-up, before defeating Cambridgeshire away in their quarter-final clash by five wickets.

They now return to Shifnal CC, where Suffolk won by 40 runs in the group stage of last season’s competition, to vie for a place in this season’s final.

This will be Suffolk’s third semi-final in the last eight years, both previous matches ending in defeat.

They lost to Devon, who advanced on fewer wickets lost after the scores ended level in a match reduced to 33 overs-a-side at Sidmouth CC in 2018.

They then went down by four wickets against Cumbria, after Leicestershire’s Chris Wright blew away Suffolk’s top order by claiming three wickets inside the opening six overs at Sudbury CC two years ago.

Mansfield said: “It’s a big game for us as a county but a lot of the boys have played in numerous knock-out games now so I am sure they’ll be approaching it like any other game they play for Suffolk.”

Despite players not in the 50-over side shining in the T20 competition in which Suffolk have won four out of four so far, Suffolk have resisted making any changes to their team.

“We are fielding the same side as we have been for most of the 50-over competition. Those players have got us this far and they deserve the opportunity to go and play for a place in the final,” said Mansfield.

“Shropshire are a really good side, so we know we’ll have to be at our best to beat them, although I am unsure if they will be a similar side to the one we played earlier in the season.”

After three away wins in this season’s competition, Mansfield is not fazed by the fact that the squad will face a three-hour trip to Shropshire after their club matches finish on Saturday.

“Playing away from home brings its challenges, but we’ve done well away from home this year, so hopefully that can continue,” he said.

Suffolk squad: Jack Beaumont, Ollie Burle, Adam Jones, Jacob Marston (wkt), Darren Ironside, George Rhodes, Alex Oxley, Josh Cantrell (capt), Tom Harper, Dan Shanks, Matt Wareing. 12th man: Alex Maynard.

Jack Beaumont is pictured above hitting out during his innings of 45 for Suffolk versus Shropshire at Mildenhall CC earlier this season. Beaumont, who also returned figures of 10-0-43-4 in that group game, could be a key figure for Suffolk on Sunday.

Tags: , , , ,

Categorised in: