Bucks Men beat Staffordshire by one wicket in a thrilling finish at Stafford to give themselves a great chance of topping the NCCA Cluberly Championship Eastern Division 1 table this season.

In a low-scoring match, Bucks were set 225 for victory and seemed in danger of defeat when they slipped to 162-7. However, a partnership if 58 between Ed Bragg and Teddy Fleming took Bucks to the brink of victory. Then on 220, Fleming was out for an enterprising 34 off 44 balls. To add to the drama Cameron Parsons became another Tom Brett victim when the scores were level.

In strode No 11, Conner Haddow, whose second successive ten-wicket match haul, had done so much to set up the Bucks victory. He survived as Bragg, in his third successive valuable unbeaten innings, struck the match-winning boundary to finish on 29 not out, to the relief of Bucks supporters.

Winning the toss, Bucks elected to field, and thanks to Haddow's terrific spell of 13-8-21-4, reduced the hosts to 194 all out off 71 overs. This was good enough for a first-innings lead of 21 as Bucks could muster only 173 from 63 overs, Billy Dodds top-scoring with a maiden Championship half-century.

Haddow once again performed well in Staffordshire's second innings, taking 6-38 from 20 overs for overall match figures of 33-15-59-10, a truly amazing achievement. Despite resistance from James Kettleborough (54) and Reeve Evitts (42*), they were bowled out for 203, setting up Bucks' victory target. Dodds (45) again batted well, but it was the lower order that saw them to victory - just! Full Scorecard HERE

Bucks are now second in the table, three points behind Suffolk, who have completed their four-match programme. Victory over Lincolnshire at High Wycombe on August 31st-September 2nd will qualify Bucks for the Championship final for the second time in three years. 

See NCCA Championship table HERE

Captain Alexei Kervezee was delighted with his team's performance: Great win yesterday and everyone is over the moon. Every playing member, 12th man and coaching member played their part… it was a real team performance.

First innings we bowled really well without much luck but we stuck to our processes and reaped the rewards. 

We felt we had an opportunity to get ahead of the game in our first batting innings but unfortunately we didn’t bat well enough and let it slip. Then to back up the bowling effort again in the third innings after a tricky start was top draw.

Lastly our plans and thought processes in and for the 4th innings came together really nicely towards the end and we ended up on the winning side of a really tight game. 

Again Conner was exceptional and standout for us over the game. Long may it continue.