Astonishing win for brilliant Beds
Thrilling derby victory for county's youngsters
Bedfordshire made it three wins in a row after yet another thriller at Bedford School on Tuesday.
Having chased targets of 401 and 381 to beat Staffordshire and Northumberland, it looked as though the boot was going to be on the other foot this time when Hertfordshire, having been set a mammoth 435, reached 400-7.
But Bedfordshire then claimed the new ball and Herts skipper Andy Lewis, who had hammered five sixes and 17 fours in racing to 168, was brilliantly taken at first slip by Oliver Clayson via second slip Oliver Swann, and Adam Shepherd, bowling at express pace, cleaned up Simon Greenall in the same over.
Will Rudge, who had helped Lewis add 148 for the eighth wicket, then smacked Colin Griggs for a six and four with five wides in between.
But it was Griggs who had the last laugh, trapping Rudge in front with the final delivery of the over to give Bedfordshire victory by 18 runs.
So Beds picked up 24 points to stay hard on the heels of Eastern Division leaders Suffolk who also took maximum points from their win over Buckinghamshire.
The first two days had belonged entirely to Bedfordshire as they rattled up 418 in 90 overs after winning the toss.
Matt Barnes (41) and George Thurstance (38) had given them a good start, before Andy Reynoldson took charge with a magnificent 132, his second century of the season.
He shared in good stands with Swann (41), Clayson (50) and Martin Weightman (73), but Bedfordshire should probably have scored more as several batsmen threw their wickets away with wild and unnecessary slogging in the final overs.
They then reduced Hertfordshire to 81-6 and, although the visitors recovered to 249 on the second day, it still gave Bedfordshire a lead of 169.
With the temperature climbing, Clayson decided against enforcing the follow on and Barnes and Thurstance then stretched the lead by 179.
Both looked to be heading for centuries, but Barnes went for 89, Thurstance for 88 and after that only George Arblaster (40) made a major contribution before the declaration came at 266-8. On the final day, Bedfordshire took wickets at regular intervals before Lewis and Rudge came together at 252-7 to take their side to the verge of victory.
Shepherd finished with 5-92 and Ampthill off-spinner Simon Esh also played his part, taking 3-138 from 28 overs.
Bedfordshire will now be looking to make it four wins on the trot when they take on Cambridgeshire at March in their next game which starts on Sunday, August 1.
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Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 11 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
