Beds suffer heavy Cambs defeat

Still damp from Thursday night’s thunderstorm, it was clearly a pitch on which to bowl first and the Cambridgeshire captain could hardly contain his delight when he called correctly.

Bedfordshire lost their first two wickets for just two runs and things didn’t improve as they were dismissed for 94 in 47 overs.

Cambs themselves could manage only 139, but 
when they bowled out Beds 
for 143 in their second innings, they required just 99 to 
win, which they did for 
the loss of three wickets.

It has to be said that the Cambridgeshire bowlers used the conditions superbly as Beds struggled on the first morning, particularly 
Dawborn who returned the amazing figures of 6-12 in 12.4 overs.

Skipper Andy Reynoldson battled for 107 balls to top score with 36, but otherwise it was a procession.

Beds claimed three wickets before a thunderstorm brought an end to the day’s play just before tea and they kept up the pressure on the second morning, restricting Cambridgeshire to a lead of 45.

Martin Weightman took 4-31 and Colin Griggs 3-24.

James Hewitt and Luke Thomas took Bedfordshire to within two runs of the deficit before Hewitt was out for 29, but his dismissal led to another collapse with the next three batsmen, Dan Blacktopp, George Thurstance and Shabbz Hussain all registering ducks.

Thomas, who batted with great skill and determination, finally found a partner in Charlie Thurston, the Bedford School captain 
who was making his debut for the county and they added 48 before Thurston was dismissed.

Thomas finally fell for 64 after staying defiant for 176 balls and no-one else offered any resistance.

Although they needed only 99, Cambridgeshire must have been a bit nervous when they lost their first two wickets for three runs. This soon became 15-3 before French decided to go on to the attack, as he was unbeaten on 56 at the finish.

Beds, who are bottom of the table, travel to Norfolk this weekend.