Bedfordshire battle to draw against overly-cautious Hertfordshire

That always looked the likely result when, after the morning session on the final day had been lost to rain, Herts decided to bat on despite holding an overnight lead of 375.

Eventually Beds were set to score 411 in 64 overs - a near impossible target. Play was eventually called off half-an-hour early with Beds on 281-4.

Herts’ tactics were difficult to understand as a win would have put them at the forefront of the championship chase having won two of their first three games, yet they declined the opportunity to force Beds to follow on having gained a 205 first innings lead.

Then, instead of pressing on, they took 60.3 overs to score 205-7 in their second innings, despite the fact that Beds often had five men around the bat.

This was in direct contrast to their efforts in the first innings when they rattled up 442-5 in their allotted 90 overs.

Lloyd Paternott led the way with 111, skipper Nesan Jeyaratnam made 77 and Jamie Southgate hit 60 from 30 balls.

It was hard work for the Beds bowlers, especially spinners Tom Brett and Chris Esh who sent down 68 overs between them.

The blazing heat seemed to get the Beds batsmen on the second day as Andy Reynoldson, Brad Matthews and Colin Griggs were all stupidly run out as they collapsed from 166-2 to 237 all out.

Everything looked fine while Luke Thomas (44) and Thurstance (67) were together, but after this only number nine Esh, who made 31, got into double figures.

After deciding to bat again, Herts lost three early wickets in their second innings and this sent them into safety-first mode when they should have been looking for quick runs with a view to an overnight declaration, with Blacktopp taking 84 balls to score 33 and Southgate 93 for 42.

An early-hours thunderstorm resulted in a scheduled noon start, but further rain put paid to that idea.

An early lunch was taken, but despite this loss of time, Hertfordshire still delayed their declaration until they reached 205-7.

Most of the work was again done by the spinners, but it was left-arm quickie Martin Weightman who was the pick of the Beds bowlers taking 4-27.

Hewitt and Matt Barnes got Beds off to a brisk start, but Barnes was caught for 20 and Thomas became another run out victim when he stood out of his ground waiting for an lbw decision.

This brought Thurstance in to join Hewitt and they batted beautfully during a third wicket partnership worth 146.

Even so Beds were never in with a chance of getting anywhere near the target that had been set.

Hewitt hit four sixes and 12 fours before cruelly falling lbw to a ball from George Scott which kept a bit low when he was two short of a well-deserved century. Earlier in the season he was dismissed for 99 against Buckinghamshire.

Thurstance had no difficulty in reaching three figures, his second century of the season, as he hit 15 fours and a six.

Scores: Hertfordshire 442-5 and 205-7dec. Bedfordshire 237 and 281-4.