County hit by rain again

The counties had to settle for 10 points apiece as heavy rain at tea on the final day led to the match being abandoned with Northumberland on 186-1 in their second innings, having trailed by one run after the first.

Whether there would have been time to get a definite result had the weather not intervened is doubtful, but both sides were giving it their best shot.

Play did not start on the first day until mid-afternoon and finished at tea, but there was plenty of action on Monday with Beds doing well to bowl Northumberland out for 246.

In fact Northumberland would have been in severe trouble but for a wonderful innings from opener Danny Young who carried his bat for an unbeaten 123.

Will Sneath, stepping in when Andy McGarry had to drop out, kept things in check with a marathon spell of bowling uphill which saw him finish with 3-53 from 25.4 overs.

Colin Griggs also bowled beautifully in his second spell and his figures of 4-61 were well deserved.

A high-class display of wicketkeeping by George Arblaster was also a feature of the innings.

Martin Weightman and Steve Stubbings gave the hosts’ reply a good start until Stubbings was lbw for 29.

Weightman continued to play some fine shots and he went on to make 64 before he was bowled attempting to drive through the covers.

With only three wickets down for 160 overnight, Bedfordshire looked well placed with Andy Reynoldson and George Thurstance still there when the first batting point was achieved on 175.

But once Thurstance had gone for 31, things fell apart as the Northumberland spinners claimed another five wickets for 32 runs.

It was left to last man Sneath to help Reynoldson to another batting point and indeed a one-run lead before he was caught at slip.

Reynoldson, who looks a class batsman these days, was left unbeaten on 84 from 115 balls.

Northumberland found no terrors in the wicket when they batted again with Young undefeated with 52.

This time the main run-getter was Lee Goddard who was 101 not out when the rain came.

Scores: Northumberland 246 and 186-1; Bedfordshire 247.