Beds lose out in thriller

Beds have had a chance to win every game this season, but have let things slip away at the death.

Now they must beat Lincolnshire at Luton in the final match beginning on August 21 to stand any chance of escaping from the bottom of the table.

Beds were totally outplayed by Staffs for much of the time as they were forced to follow-on.

Even so they were favourites to win in the final session when Staffordshire slumped to 93-8 chasing 148.

But Peter Wilshaw, who had made a century in the first innings, and Gareth Morris got them home with an unbroken partnership of 55.

Skipper Oliver Clayson’s decision to put Staffs in seemed to be justified when they were 135-6 on the first day, but Beds, as so often this season, could not wrap up the tail, with Wilshaw (126) finding a good partner in number nine Craig Barker who made 64, and the final score was 345.

There was another remarkable bowling performance from Andy McGarry who sent down 27 overs to claim 4-80 while Martin Weightman took 3-74.

Beds then suffered another middle order collapse after James Kettleborough (33) and Steve Stubbings (31) had put on 67 for the first wicket.

Six wickets fell for 12 runs and, although Weightman showed character and skill in top-scoring with 56, Beds were all out for a dismal 159.

History seemed in danger of repeating itself when the opening pair again put on 67 second time around, but this time Stubbings and George Thurstance took the attack to Staffs and were still together at the close of the second day.

They took their partnership to 147 on the final morning before Thurstance was lbw for 86.

Stubbings missed a century by a whisker for the second match running when he was out for 97 and then suddenly wickets were tumbling again.

Clayson made 40 and Chris Esh an unbeaten 36, but a target of 148 looked nothing like enough.

McGarry thought differently though, and he was soon causing panic in Staffs’ ranks.

This time his figures were 5-61 in 17.2 overs, taking his tally to 33 wickets in just four matches. Unfortunately his efforts proved in vain.

Scores: Staffordshire 345 and 148-8. Bedfordshire 159 and 333.