Bucks suffer painful final over defeat

Jun 18 2009 Buckinghamshire Advertiser

BUCKS' hopes of reaching the last four of the Minor Counties Trophy were dashed when they suffered a last-over defeat in their quarter-final against Bedfordshire at Dunstable on Sunday.

Bedfordshire, chasing the Bucks total of 200-6, got home with three wickets and three balls to spare, although the margin of victory flattered the visitors.

After choosing to bat first, Bucks failed to capitalise on a blistering start given to them by opener Russell Lane.

The powerful left-hander struck 41 off 35 balls with nine fours to get Bucks off to a flier. But the bowling tightened up and both Jason Harrison and Mark Hardinges were kept in check.

It needed a sparkling half-century from High Wycombe left-

hander Paul Sawyer (57 not out off 67 balls), to take them up to 200-6 from 50 overs.

Some tidy Bucks bowling, especially from Slough off-spin-ner Bobby Sher, kept Beds in check at first but they were always in charge of their run chase, and it was only when they lost three wickets with the total on 199, that Bucks hopes were briefly raised.

Sawyer was chosen as the Bucks Advertiser and Examiner man of the match.

Following their convincing nine-wicket victory over Northumberland, Bucks resume their Minor Counties Championship Eastern Division campaign on Sunday when they start a three-day match against Lincolnshire at Tring Park - the first time they have played a Championship game there.