Kettleborough ton in vain as Cambridgeshire win

BEDFORDSHIRE are out of the MCCA Minor Counties Eastern Division Championship title race for another season after they fell to a six-wicket defeat against Cambridgeshire on Tuesday.

The hosts had fought back well after being bowled out before lunch for 101 on the first day of the clash staged at Bedford Modern School.

A brilliant century by James Kettleborough, who shared a second wicket partnership of 178 with Steve Stubbings (80), gave Beds thoughts of saving the game after they had trailed by 185 runs from the first innings.

Unfortunately, both were dismissed in quick succession, Kettleborough after making 126 and a lower order collapse left Cambridgeshire needing 176 to win.

Fine bowling by Ziggy Arshad, who took 4-47, and Chris Esh who deserved more than 1-49 from his 20 overs, gave Beds a fighting chance as the visitors slipped to 120-6, but Johnny Atkinson (41 not out) and Lewis Bruce (20 not out) saw them home without further loss.

It was a poor batting display in Bedfordshire’s first innings demise for there was nothing wrong with the wicket as Kettleborough showed by hitting five fours in one over.

The opener made 31 but after that, only George Arblaster (17 not out) and George Bacon (19) displayed any application as the wickets tumbled.

Cambs found no devils in the pitch during their innings and they would have been disappointed not to gain maximum batting points, being bowled out for 286 as Bacon took 3-42.

Beds, who are now bottom of the table, will be looking for a much improved performance this weekend when they take on Norwich at Norfolk.

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