Beds are knocked out of Trophy by Herefordshire

With rain shortening the contest to a 25-over clash, the hosts, who had former England spinner Monty Panesar in their ranks once more and had won all of their matches in the group stages, opted to bowl first.

They got off to a good start with Herefordshire 54-3 thanks to two wickets for Dean Bryce (2-24), while Dave Ball was run out by Charlie Thurston.

However, Chris Whittock (28) joined forces with opener Liam Gwynne to put on 79 for the third wicket, until Panesar bowled Whittock.

That led to three wickets in the space of two runs, with Gwynne out for an impressive 76 from 61 balls, as Herefordshire eventually finished on 160-7, Panesar claiming 2-31, while Colin Griggs (1-37) and George Thurstance (1-30) were also among the wickets.

Beds got off to a poor start themselves, slumping to 19-3 as Thurston (11), Ben Howgego (5) and Callum Berrill (0) all dismissed.

That soon became 46-5 with Thurstance (12) and Luke Thomas (5) also back in the pavilion.

Michael Pickard (17) put on 45 with skipper Andy Reynoldson, until he was caught, with Nick Barden upping the tempo too, before falling for 22 from 14 balls.

With Reynoldson at the crease, Beds had a slim hope of victory, but once he was bowled by Jamie McIlroy for 53 from 62 balls, Griggs and Bryce soon followed as the hosts were dismissed for 142 from the final ball.

This weekend, Beds are back in MCCA Championship action, as they entertain Buckinghamshire at Luton Town & Indians CC.