Cambridgeshire beat weakened Bedfordshire

Cambridgeshire made the most of Bedfordshire's injury-hit bowling attack to come out victorious by four wickets at Bedford Modern School.

Defending a meagre total of 154, and with Shaun Rashid and Paul Wilkinson unable to bowl after being injured in the first innings, Bedfordshire initially had Cambridgeshire reeling at 106 for six thanks to some high class leg-spin from Andy Roberts and Dan Bendon.

But the experience of Ajaz Akhtar, who made an unbeaten 42, saw the visitors home.

For all the excitement of the final couple of hours, the game was probably won and lost on the first day when Bedfordshire were dismissed for 202 in their first innings.

The wicket generally offers a bit of help to bowlers early on and then gets easier and easier for batting, so skipper James Knott's decision to have first use was a little surprising.

Openers Richard Howitt and Jon Walford gave Bedfordshire a reasonable start, but once Walford (25) had been dismissed wickets clattered.

Howitt stayed firm, but it was not until David Willey came in at 70 for five that he found a partner. They added 68 before the former fell for 69.

After that 18-year-old Willey was left to play a lone hand and he batted beautifully to make 71. He was the only batsman to look comfortable against Akhtar who finished with the remarkable figures of 4-30 off 25 overs.

Cambridgeshire had made 98 for two by the close and with Wilkinson unable to bowl on the second day after injuring a knee it was left to Rashid to bear the brunt of the bowling. But after taking 4-67, he also pulled up and had to withdraw from the attack.

Although Cambridgeshire were 121 for five at one time, Pateman was never in trouble and his innings of 145 and a quickfire 55 from wicketkeeper Summers saw them to maximum bowling points.

Trailing by 135, Bedfordshire then lost both openers for 15. This time though the middle order contributed with Cameron Wake making 28, Bendon 63, Knott 57 and Marcus Steed 52. Brad Matthews also cracked a useful 23 and Bedfordshire went on to score 288.

Although Willey had Bruce lbw early on, Cambridgeshire seemed to be coasting home at 74 for one. But the introduction of the leg-spinners caused panic in their ranks before Akhtar took charge. Roberts took 3-37 from 17 overs and Bendon 2-31 from 15.

Despite the defeat Knott remains upbeat about the side's chances against Norfolk at Norwich this weekend.

"We didn't make enough runs in the first innings, but heads never went down and we really made Cambridgeshire fight for victory at the end,” he said.

“What has pleased me most both during both the win over Cumberland and this defeat has been the tremendous spirit in the dressing room."

Bedfordshire will have to find a completely new seam attack for the Norfolk game with Rashid and Wilkinson unfit and Matthews, who bowled some impressive spells against Cambridgeshire, unavailable.