Poor start for county in MCCA Trophy

BEDFORDSHIRE could have no complaints as they suffered a 59-run defeat to Hertfordshire in the MCCA Trophy at Ampthill on Sunday.

The result means the county already face an uphill struggle to go through from the group stages of the competition and victory over Oxfordshire at Banbury on Sunday becomes a must.

Beds’ cause was not helped when Rob Keogh and Tom Brett had to pull out because Northamptonshire required them to travel for a second XI game starting the next day, leaving the side without a frontline spinner.

Beds had got off to a bright start when new opening bowler Andy McGarry dismissed the dangerous former Middlesex player Jamie Hewitt for a duck with the third ball of the game.

With Colin Griggs also getting a wicket in his first over, Hertfordshire were struggling at 7-2, but the visitors’ middle order all made useful runs as Dan Blacktopp (52) and Ben Frazer (49) led the way.

Eighteen-year-old George Bacon was the most successful bowler with 3-53 while McGarry and Will Sneath claimed two apiece as Herts were all out for 242.

Beds also lost two early wickets, including that of former Derbyshire batsman Steve Stubbings for a duck on his debut and, although George Thurstance (33) and Andy Reynoldson (35) put together a promising partnership of 57, both got out when looking set.

After that, the Beds batsmen struggled to get the ball away with skipper Ollie Clayson and James Kettleborough being caught in the deep.

George Arblaster contributed a late flourish, hitting 26 from 22 balls, but the tail folded and they hosts were all out for 183 in 44.1 overs.

Beds play Oxfordshire on Sunday, although it looks as though they will be without batsman Kettleborough and all-rounder Bacon.