SUFFOLK'S Minor Counties Knock-Out Trophy success means that they have lost just one out of 20 three-day and one-day fixtures played over the course of the past two seasons.

SUFFOLK'S Minor Counties Knock-Out Trophy success means that they have lost just one out of 20 three-day and one-day fixtures played over the course of the past two seasons.

And they are set to benefit off the pitch as well as on it after fielding nine players aged 26 or under in their matches - in line with the competition's restrictions - which means they will earn the maximum bonus payment available via the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Kevin Brooks, who confirmed he is willing to carry on as director of cricket if asked to do so, said the county's sponsors - Brooks and Wood, Braceforce and Samurai - had played a vital role in the county's success.

Keith Cracknell, a director of Brooks and Wood, raised around £2,000 to enable the team to have a buffet reception and stay in an hotel near Lord's on Monday night after the match and also provide named and numbered souvenir shirts, produced by Samurai, along with kit bags.

After a night out in London to celebrate winning the trophy for the first time in the county's history the players went their separate ways yesterday.

Toby Pound, the Suffolk CCA secretary, brought the trophy back to Suffolk in his car.

He said: “Captain Phil Caley said to me 'you had better take it back to Suffolk otherwise it will spend the next six months with me in St Albans' so I brought it home with me.”