By ELVIN KING

IT doesn't get any better than this.

Suffolk took Lord's by storm to enjoy their best ever cricketing day.

The names of Phil Caley's side will go down in the folklore of Suffolk cricket after their emphatic 34-run victory over Cheshire in the Minor Counties Knock-Out Trophy.

It was a performance to fit the majestic surroundings of the game's headquarters, and set the seal on Kevin Brooks' tenth year as director of cricket.

Along with coach Andy Brown and skipper Phil Caley he has steadily raised the profile of the county - and this was their finest hour.

A Suffolk sporting flag has never been flown at such a prestigious venue before, and it fluttered with pride as previously unbeaten Cheshire were put to the sword.

Every person who has played the game dreams of playing at Lord's and there were some proud parents and families looking on.

Suffolk won the toss and decided to bat on a wicket used on Sunday for a Middlesex one-day game and also for the four-day match that began last Wednesday against Gloucestershire.

Caley's side were looking for the wicket to wear and for spinners Paul Grayson and Chris Swallow to come into play as the day progressed.

It was Essex first team coach Grayson who held the Suffolk side together with the bat falling 13 short of a deserved century when caught in the deep at long-on in the 47th over.

He struck eight fours in an innings of 102 balls, and featured in a fifth wicket stand of 84 with Chris Swallow, who struck one six and in his score of 38.

Justin Bishop struck a welcome six in the penultimate over with Suffolk scoring 60 runs in their last ten overs

Tom Huggins' early loss was a blow to Suffolk, and when Chris Finegan changed to the pavilion end he removed Andrew Mawson with his first ball.

Grayson escaped a stumping chance when on eight, and he was involved when Tobias Hembry, brought in for his skills against spin, was run out when a bit slow to react to a sharp call for a single to mid-off by Grayson.

There were loud cheers at every boundary with Suffolk supporters well exceeding those behind Cheshire although the seamers and spinners Nathan Dumelow and Danny Woods were bowling well.

Two fours in the 27th over by Grayson brought up the 100 in 161 balls with Grayson and Swallow notching their well-constructed 50-run partnership in 71 balls. Grayson's 50 came in 75 balls.

Swallow gave the ball a charge in the 40th over to be stumped and Caley was unhappy at being given out caught behind trying the run the ball down to third man.

Grayson struck eight fours in his precious knock that lasted 102 balls, with Suffolk posting a competitive score, but one perhaps 20 less than they would have liked.

In this terrible summer, but both counties were blessed with good weather for their big day with a bit of feeling left over between the sides after the 2005 Championship play-off final when Cheshire refused to open the game up

Cheshire unbeaten this season and looking for a double after winning the Minor Counties western division were put on the back foot when skipper Andy Hall was caught behind off Paul King's fifth ball.

Suffolk, playing with names and numbers on their backs, kept the pressure on with Martin Smith grabbing two valuable wickets and Chris Bassano taking 25 balls to get off the mark - and that almost a catch at slip that just evaded Bishop's desperate dive.

Cheshire were 52 for three off 20 overs (Suffolk were 72 for 3) and needing close on six runs an over. At the half-way stage they were 74 for three compared with Suffolk's 90 for four.

Essex first team coach - and veteran of three big Lord's one-day finals - Grayson was in constant contact with Caley as they planned manoeuvres on the hallowed turf. A leg-side four by Ben Spendlove off Bishop brought up the 50-run partnership in 104 balls.

The dangerous Spendlove needed to be removed and Bishop had hit caught behind one short of his half-century.

James Duffy started with a four and six off Grayson, but in the same over the bowler joyfully snaffled a caught and bowled off a leading edge.

The next ball former Derbyshire batsman Bassano was caught behind off Bishop, and for intents and purposes the game was over despite 20 overs still to go.

Cheshire wanted 82 from the final ten overs with Jason Whittaker and Matt Dawson digging in to forge a 61-run seventh wicket partnership.

Ben France then struck to bowl Whittaker and former Cambridgeshire left-arm bowler Adam Syddall, and had Chris Finegan caught off a skier at mid-on and Matt Dawson bowled.

By ELVIN KING

elvin.king@archant.co.uk

SUFFOLK coach Andy Brown today looked ahead to more memorable times for the county‘s cricket team.

Fighting a sore head like the rest of the Suffolk party after a night on the town last night, Brown says that winning the Minor Counties Knock-Out trophy for the first time is just the beginning.

A 35-run win over a previously unbeaten Cheshire at Lord’s capped an unforgettable day for Suffolk, who enjoyed a celebratory champagne reception at their London hotel before taking wives and girlfriends on to the London party scene.

“We have come a long way in the seven years I have been involved,” said Brown.

“Many of the players involved yesterday have been through a great deal of hard work since 2001.

“And I cannot see us losing any of the current squad - plus we could well have fast bowler Andrew McGarry coming back.

“The players will have more experience in 2008 and will be more of a force.“

Brown’s attention to detail has helped turn Suffolk into the most professionally run Minor Counties side.

“This helped us yesterday,” he said. “This is what Suffolk cricket is all about.

“While Cheshire sat in their hotel rooms watching football on TV on Sunday afternoon we were 100 yards away training for four hours at the Lord’s indoor centre and then watching Middlesex play Kent.

“We were playing on the same wearing pitch and went into the game with an option of three spinners.

“We won the toss played to a plan, and it worked like clockwork.

“ Cheshire are a good side and the three wickets of Ben Spendlove, Nathan Dumelow and Chris Bassano were particularly big ones.“

Suffolk were fitted with suits and had special cricket kit manufactured bearing their names and numbers. And their two days in London were planned with military efficiency.

Sponsors Brooks and Wood helped with the finance, and chairman Keith Wood (NICK CONFIRM HE IS WOOD AND NOT BROOKS) confirmed that his company is to be involved again next season.

N (SQUARE) HOW far can you see Suffolk cricket going? Have your say. E-mail starsport@eveningstar.co.uk or write to sports desk, Evening Star, 30, Lower Brook Street , Ipswich IP4 1AN .

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INSIDE QUOTES (to go with those in EADT)

By ELVIN KING

elvin.king@archant.co.uk

ANDREW McGarry gave Suffolk cricket a further boost today by revealing his could be back playing Minor Counties cricket in 2008.

After two highly successful years with Suffolk he signed a one-year contract with Essex in May before damaging a hand that put him out for the season.

The 25-year-old played in the earlier rounds this season and watched Suffolk beat Cheshire at Lord’s yesterday. He said: “I was happy playing for Suffolk and running my own business.

“This is what looks as though it might happen next year. I hope so.”

Suffolk secretary Toby Pound spoke of the improvement to Suffolk cricket since Kevin Brooks in 1998 became director of cricket and Andy Brown became coach in 2001.

He said: “We have moved up several notches to be where we are now - envied by most in our level of the game.

“We set out to enjoy a fantastic day out yesterday and to win a game of cricket. We achieved both.”

While Suffolk ’s 11 players enjoyed a wonderful day they will never forget, Nick Lee and Phil Edwards were left out of the original squad of 13.

It was a bitter pill to swallow as chances to play at Lord’s come few and far between, and Lee has good memories of Lord’s having scored a century on his previous visit playing for Cambridge UCCE.

Suffolk’s leading run getter in the Minor Counties Championship this season, said: “You can say I was pretty disappointed.

“But at the end of the day a decision was made and you have to go along with it.

“It was important that the team won, and I must do my best to ensure it doesn’t happen to me again.“

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Caley's pride at Suffolk's achievement
28 August 2007 | 12:30

ELVIN KING
PHIL Caley paid tribute to Suffolk's tremendous supporters in his proudest moment as Suffolk captain.

The 44-year-old took over the reins in 1994, and the county have come a long way since then - becoming arguably the most professionally-run outfit in the Minor Counties Championship.

And Caley wants more.

He said on the Lord's pavilion steps after receiving the trophy on Suffolk's behalf for the very first time: “It was a great feeling to lead the team on to the field.

“And an even better one to leave it victorious.

“It was a fantastic day for Suffolk cricket and all credit to the boys.

“We would have liked a score of around 250, but having watched the Middlesex game the day before we knew that it would not be an easy pitch to chase on.

“We put them under pressure from the start and the big difference was that their professional Ben Spendlove did not go on and make a big score like Paul Grayson did for us.

“Paul held our batting together and Chris Swallow gave him great support.

“And our supporters were tremendous although some might not remember much about the day!

“I am going to do another year and see how it goes. It has been agreed, and it would be nice to have a repeat visit to this wonderful place.

“We may not have the likes of Chris Schofield and Andrew McGarry this season, but we have a better balanced side than in 2006.”

Suffolk's players celebrated in the home dressing room before attending a reception at a nearby hotel, with Grayson praising the professionalism of the Suffolk set-up.

“You have to give credit to director of cricket Kevin Brooks and coach Andy Brown,” said Grayson.

“Everything is done for the players - and they certainly responded today.

“It took time to get your timing right on the wicket, but once I had 20 I was able to score more freely.

“Chris Swallow came in and took the pressure off me after we kept losing wickets at regular intervals.

“And when we bowled our two openers put us in the driving seat.”

Norman Atkins, Suffolk County Cricket Association chairman said: “It was a magical day for Suffolk cricket and the support we received was magnificent. Phil Caley is definitely staying as skipper.”

Andy Hall, the Cheshire skipper, said: “Suffolk scored around a par score, and you have to credit them for batting well.

“We could have had Paul Grayson stumped but the magic moments did not come our way.

“It is hurting to lose, but Suffolk bowled well right from the start, and we did well to hang in after being 95 for six.”

Suffolk win Minor Counties Trophy
27 August 2007 | 18:29

NICK GARNHAM
SUFFOLK have won the Minor Counties Knock-out Trophy final for the first time in their history.

They defeated Cheshire by 35 runs runs at Lord's this evening.

After setting their opponents 220 to win, Suffolk bowled out their opponents for 184 in their reply.

Suffolk produced a very disciplined display in the field to deservedly lift the trophy - a fitting reward for captain Phil Caley in his 25th year of playing Minor Counties cricket.

Paul King, who bowled his full allocation of 10 overs unchanged for just 20 runs, made an early breakthrough, having Cheshire skipper Andrew Hall caught behind by Chris Warn.

Martin Smith then removed Danny Leech lbw to make it 18 for two, and then he struck again when he had Nathan Dumelow caught at mid off by Andrew Mawson with the total on 26.

Justin Bishop then struck a big blow when he had Ben Spendlove, who had batted well for his 49, caught by Warn one short of his half century, to leave Cheshire 84 for four.

Suffolk tightened their grip on the game when James Duffy was caught and bowled by Paul Grayson and with the next ball at the other end Bishop induced the edge of Chris Bassano's bat.

With the run rate starting to climb Suffolk looked favourites to win the trophy for the first time - and inflict Cheshire's first defeat of the season in any competition.

But Cheshire's Jason Whittaker and Matt Dawson had other ideas and held Suffolk up with a seventh wicket stand of 61.

Ben France finally provided the breakthrough, bowling Whittaker for 23, and Cheshire were 164 for seven off 45 overs - requiring 66 off the final five overs.

France dismissed Adam Syddall in his next over and the target had been reduced to 41 from the final three overs by Dawson and Chris Finegan before the latter holed out to Chris Swallow running in from long on to give France his third wicket.

Dawson brought up his half century with a four off Fracne through mid-wicket, but the Suffolk all-rounder exacted his revenge when he bowled him for 51 with the next ball to clinch Suffolk's success.

Grayson, the former Essex all-rounder, had top-scored with 87 as Suffolk were all out with four balls of their 50 overs unused.

Caley won the toss and chose to bat in glorious sunshine on the county's first ever appearance at the home of cricket.

Tom Huggins (9) and Andrew Mawson (11) both fell cheaply and when France was dismissed for 24 with the score on 59 Suffolk were in a spot of bother.

Worse was to follow when Toby Hembry was run out for 10 with the total on 74 but Swallow joined Grayson and the pair began to rebuild the innings in a stand of 84.

Swallow eventually fell for 38, stumped going for a big hit, and when captain Caley was caught at the wicket in the next over for just a single - a decision he was clearly not happy about - Suffolk had slipped to 159 for six.

Chris Warn helped add 38 with Grayson before he was caught behind for seven and then Grayson was caught on the long-on boundary for a splendid 87.

Paul King was out second ball but some lusty hitting from Justin Bishop, who was last man out for 15 including one six over mid-wicket, pushed the total up to 219.