Blacktopp hits a ton but Beds are beaten

After losing the toss and being asked to bat, Beds were soon in trouble as Luke Thomas was out for a golden duck, while Jamie Hewitt went for five.

George Thurstance then fell for seven to leave the score 43-3, but wicketkeeper Dan Blacktopp and Andy Reynoldson put on 50 for the fourth wicket.

Reynoldson was lbw for 27, and quickly followed by Matthew Barnes (2).

Alex Martin then produced some resistance, as Blacktopp passed 50, with the pair putting on 62 until Martin was caught.

Martin Weightman came to the crease to provide valuable support, as Blacktopp reached his century, eventually run out for 105 from 129 balls with 10 fours.

Weightman finished on 36 not out from 48 balls as some late hitting saw Beds to 265-9 from their 50 overs.

Their total was helped by 12 penalty runs too as Oxfordsshire went over the permitted time for bowling their overs.

Oxfordshire made the perfect start to their reply, as their openers put on 116 before Luke Sabin was bowled by Weightman.

Shabaz Alam fell second ball to King, as the hosts wobbled and they soon slipped to 197-6 with wickets going to Tom Brett (3-42) and King (2-50).

Luke Ryan (27) and Chris Watling (38no) then produced a crucial partnership of 47 and although Reynoldson (1-42) and Weightman (3-32) struck, they made 266-8 with one over to spare.

Beds start their Minor Counties Championship Unicorns KO Trophy Group 2 at home to Norfolk on Sunday, May 4, with the match staged at Dunstable Town CC.