Beau steals the show for Suffolk boys
FIVE wickets from Jack Beaumont ensured Suffolk finished as runners-up to Hertfordshire in Group 4 to secure a place in the quarterfinals.
A 110-run stand for the fifth wicket by Darren Batch (60) and Tom Rash (82no) gave Suffolk a platform of 261 to defend against Bedfordshire.
When Beaumont collected the wicket of Tom Brett, Bedfordshire were 131-8 and looking home and dry.
But an aggressive knock from No11 batsman Kamran Anwar (68) alongside Callum Berrill (65) brought Beds back into the contest; requiring a mere seven runs to win with three balls remaining until Anwar was bowled.
Suffolk’s top-scorer Rash commented on Anwar’s knock, saying: “It’s a funny old game, cricket – to see a lad bat like that at No 11 is unbelievable really.
“It didn’t matter where we bowled at him, he somehow managed to find the boundary and played an exceptional innings that had us all a little bit nervy. Thankfully, the cricket gods looked after us at the end.”
Hertfordshire clinched top spot in Group 4 by defeating Buckinghamshire at Dukes Lane by three wickets. Daniel Blacktopp passed 200 runs for the group stage by scoring 66 as Hertfordshire chased down 246 with two overs to spare.
An opening wicket stand of 130 saw Devon set up a quarter-final with Lincolnshire after they defeated west coast rivals Cornwall by 93 runs.
Robert Woodman and Alex Barrow both fell nine runs short of a century, as Devon’s total proved out of reach for Cornwall who were all out for 209 in reply.
In the same group, Berkshire steamrolled Dorset by 131 runs after Euan Woods (70) and a quickfire 55 from Chris Peploe helped them to 307, while a wagging tail helped Staffordshire to 229-9 against Cheshire thanks to Karl High and Greg Willott.
Tim Maxfield then took 5-25 as Staffs made it four wins from four with a 55-run success.
An unbeaten 122 from opener Stephen Leach was not enough to save Shropshire from defeat to Herefordshire at Brockhampton.
The visitors fell nine runs short of their 266 target as Leach’s ton was the only score over 30.
In Group 3, Lincolnshire remain unbeaten in 2017 as they skittled Northumberland for 114 all out. Norfolk finished second after beating Cumberland.