THE Worcestershire County League defeated the Staffs Clubs League in the quarter final of the Midland Club Cricket Conference Inter League Knock-Out at Old Elizabethans ground on Wednesday.

In a 45 overs per side match Staffs won the toss and asked Worcestershire to bat. After losing two quick wickets Sean Cairney (Old Elizabethans) was joined by Andy Law (Oldswinford) and they worked hard to put together a stand of 85 in 20 overs.

After the loss of Law (44) and then three quick wickets, one of whom was Cairney (64), Rob Francis (Malvern) came into bat with only eight overs left but smashed a magnificent 58no from only 31 balls and Worcestershire finished on 228-8.

D Price of Staffs opened with intent and scored 46 of the 67 runs in the first 10 overs but Andy Farmer (Belbroughton) dismissed both openers in his spell of 6 overs 2-19 and thereafter Worcestershire were always on top.

Good bowling spells were recorded by Darren Freeman ( Pedmore ) with 4-32 and Mark Bennett (Bewdley) 2-26. Appropriately it was Rob Francis (1-15) who came back to take the final wicket with Staffs bowled out for 153 in the 38th over.

A magnificent win for Worcestershire who will be at home in the semi-final and potentially face a return match against the Notts Premier League who won a close quarter final last year.