Brad Matthews tries to break the stubborn resistance of Hertfordshire's batsmen
With just two games to go, Bedfordshire lie second in the Eastern Division table of the Minor Counties Championship just three points behind Suffolk.
And after three wins in a row – all amazing efforts – they must believe they can overhaul the leaders.
Bedfordshire’s remaining games are against Cambridgeshire at March, starting next Sunday, and third-placed Lincolnshire at Grantham, beginning August 15. Suffolk have to meet Northumberland at home and Cumberland away.
Bedfordshire have still to name their side for next weekend’s game, but if everybody is available, the selectors could have a difficult choice.
With the likes of Rob Keogh, James Kettleborough and George Bacon all required by first-class counties last week, Bedfordshire gave debuts to Adam Shepherd, Martin Weightman and Chris Esh against Hertfordshire. All played their parts in a stunning 18-run success at the lovely Bedford School ground.
Shepherd was fast and hostile in taking 5-92 in the second innings and 3-54 in the first on a good batting track, Weightman cracked 73 from 64 balls and also took a couple of wickets, while Esh was happy to flight his off-spinners and was rewarded with 3-133 as Hertford-shire fell just short of a huge target of 435.
In fact, Hertfordshire were favourites to win while skipper Andy Lewis and Will Rudge were together. They put on 148 for the eighth wicket, taking the score to 400. The new ball was due though and Shepherd and Colin Griggs turned it round for Bedfordshire.
Shepherd had Lewis well taken at slip by skipper Oliver Clayson, the ball having flown through second slip Oliver Swann’s hands, and dismissed newcomer Simon Greenall, thanks to another fine catch, this time by wicket keeper George Arblaster in the same over.
Rudge continued to blaze away, but Griggs, who like Arblaster was awarded his county cap before the match, had him lbw to clinch victory for Bedford-shire.
The hosts had taken control on the first day when they scored 418 after winning the toss and then reduced Hert-fordshire to 77-5. Andy Reynoldson led the way with the bat with a brilliant 132, his second century of the season, and there were also good knocks from Weightman (73), Clayson (50), Matt Barnes (41), Swann (41) and George Thurstance (38).
Hertfordshire recovered to 249 and when Clayson decided not enforce the follow-on, Bedfordshire added 266 in their second innings before declaring with eight down. Barnes (89) and Thurstance (88) were the chief run-getters this time, sharing in an opening stand of 178. In fact, the innings rather fell away after this with only Arblaster (40) contributing anything of note.
So the scene was set for a dramatic third day – and that was what it proved to be with Bedfordshire showing they know how to win from the front as well as coming from behind, as they had done in the two previous games when they had to score 401 in the final innings to beat Staffordshire and 381 to defeat Northumberland. Scores: Bedfordshire 418 and 266-8 dec; Hertfordshire: 249 and 417. Bedfordshire 24 points, Hertfordshire 6 points.