Bedfordshire chase down giant target
County claim unlikely win with fine second innings chase
Having been shot out for just 118 in their first innings, Bedfordshire successfully chased a target of 402 in their second to pull off a remarkable victory over Staffordshire at Luton on Tuesday.
They won by two wickets with two balls to spare with Andy Reynoldson leading the way home with a magnificent innings of 107.
Staffordshire must have rued their decision not to enforce the follow-on having dominated the first two days, apart from the first hour when they slumped to 37-5 as Brad Matthews, George Bacon and Colin Griggs made good use of the overhead conditions.
They were rescued by a county record sixth-wicket partnership of 195 between Paul Goodwin and Barry McGuire, both of whom fell to Rob Keogh with centuries beckoning.
Goodwin was bowled for 99 and McGuire lbw for 96.
Thanks to them, Staffordshire finished one run short of maximum batting points on 324-9 after their allotted 90 overs.
Although conditions for batting were good once the sun came out, Bedfordshire fell apart when they replied, wicketkeeper George Arblaster top-scoring with 20 not out.
But with a lead of 206, Staffordshire strangely chose not to ask Bedfordshire to follow-on.
Instead they decided to pile on the runs, totalling 195-7 in their second innings before declaring and setting Bedfordshire that mammoth target.
Keogh fell quickly when Bedfordshire started the chase, but Matt Barnes and James Kettleborough saw them safely through to the close of the second day.
And the partnership blossomed on the final morning until Kettleborough was lbw for 62.
As so often happens, Barnes followed him back to the pavilion almost immediately for 67 and, at 142-3, victory looked a long way off.
Oliver Clayson and Reynoldson were soon pushing the score along though, and they added 113 before Clayson fell for 56.
Reynoldson continued to bat fluently and sensibly, receiving good support from Arblaster (23) and Bacon (31). There seemed that there might be a late twist in the tale when he was caught shortly after completing a superb century, but Matthews and Griggs completed the job.
Bedfordshire now have a weekend off before taking on Northumberland at Benwell Hill, starting on July 4.
Scores: Staffordshire 324-9 and 195-7 dec (Rai 4-44). Bedfordshire 118 and 405-8 (Reynoldson 107, Barnes 67, Kettleborough 62, Clayson 56). Bedfordshire 20 points, Staffordshire 7 points.
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Weather for Bedford
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 12 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 12 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
