Stuart Airey took seven wickets in the match

Lincolnshire began their three-day season with a 186-run victory over Staffordshire at Sleaford in the Minor Counties Eastern division.

Batting first, Lincs made 345-7 in their first innings with Vikram Atri, Martyn Dobson and Matthew Dowman hitting half-centuries.

Stuart Airey then took five wickets as the visitors were bowled out for 109.

Lincs declared their second innings on 214-7 to set a target of 451 before dismissing Staffs for 264.

The win maintained Rob Cook's 100% record as captain after Lincolnshire's four victories out of four in the MCCA Knockout Trophy.

This is as good a team as I can remember for a few years now Director of cricket Mark Fell

Cook told BBC Radio Lincolnshire: "It's not just down to the captain, we're working well as a team, they all want to succeed and everyone's playing for each other."

Director of cricket Mark Fell said: "Rob's got them all fighting for him, they all work very well with him and he's got to take a lot of credit for that.

"This is as good a team as I can remember for a few years now, what they've got to do is not take their foot off the pedal and relax.

"They've got to keep going and raise their game with every match and if they do that this team could go anywhere."

Minor Counties Championship Eastern division

Lincolnshire v Staffordshire at Sleaford

Lincs 345-7 (Vikram Atri 88, Matthew Dowman 84, Martyn Dobson 62) & 214-7 dec

Staffs 109 (Stuart Airey 5-34) & 264 (Mo Sheikh 54)

Lincolnshire beat Staffordshire by 186 runs.