HEREFORDSHIRE County Cricket Club have won the 2016 Unicorns Minor Counties Knock-out Trophy following an excellent 56-run win over Staffordshire at Wormsley.

It is the county side's first triumph since winning the Trophy at Lord's in 2000.

David Ball led Herefordshire’s charge, with a run-a-ball 85 as they reached 258-9 from 50 overs after winning the toss and deciding to bat in sunny conditions.

Ball, who struck 10 fours and a six, was backed up by Peter Burgoyne (40 from 38 balls) after Herefordshire had slipped to 166-6 in 36.3 overs.

Matt Pardoe (25) and Liam Gwynne (20) had earlier put on 44 runs for the opening wicket in 8.5 overs to give Herefordshire a decent start.

Ed Pollock (25) and Neil Pinner (17) also contributed with the bat for Herefordshire, while Sam Kelsall (3-29) and Matt Coxon (2-26) were Staffordshire’s most successful bowlers.

Herefordshire struck early when Staffordshire were put into bat, removing openers Kadeer Ali and Sam Kelsall to leave the favourites reeling on 19-2.

Alex Mellor and Peter Wilshaw steadied the flow for Staffordshire before Will Barrett removed Mellor's wicket.

And when Barrett got rid of Tim Maxfield for just two, Staffordshire were 69-4. Willshaw and Michael Hill then put on a 76-run partnership to give Staffordshire hope, but Herefordshire quickly snapped up three wickets to put the county side in firm control.

Hill went on to make 50 for Staffordshire before he was bowled by Barrett.

That left Staffordshire on 189-8 and Herefordshire soon snapped up the final two wickets to seal victory.

Barrett (4-25) was the pick of the Herefordshire bowlers, with Dan Conway and Jamie McIlroy (3-39 and 2-44 respectively) also being among the wicket takers.