Hertfordshire fall short after dramatic run chase

The knowledge that they had come so close to winning was scant consolation for Hertfordshire who lost a desperately tense One-Day Trophy match at Cobden Hill, Radlett, to Wiltshire by 14 runs on Sunday.

Hertfordshire won the toss and put Wiltshire in to bat. Aaron Laraman put in a wonderfully controlled new-ball spell taking 2-29, which could have been even better if a crucial early chance had been taken at second slip.

The miss proved costly as the batsman, 17-year-old Eric Abel, went on to anchor Wiltshire's innings with a careful 59.

Wiltshire, with Abel and 16-year-old Liam Dawson, were made to work hard for their runs but built a solid platform at 130-2 in the 38th over from which to launch a final assault.

But Hertfordshire stepped up a level and off-spinner Matt Smith and all-rounder Tony Skeggs proved too much for Wiltshire to handle.

They lost wickets regularly and battled through to 206 all out.

Batting in reply Hertfordshire were soon in trouble at 14-2 with both captain Andy Lewis and David Ward, being given out lbw.

Steven Lowe, of Radlett, in fine form after his half-century the previous week, and Rob Marshall started the rebuilding and took the score to 58 before Marshall was caught at mid-wicket.

Ben Frazer could not capitalise on a let-off at first slip, falling to a fine catch in the gulley and Hertfordshire were 67-4 after 20 overs. Laraman came out to join Lowe with 140 needed and set about digging himself in to play a match- winning innings.

The pair worked hard to take Hertfordshire up to 135, in the 39th over when Lowe was caught for 61.

Hertfordshire needed to up the run rate, requiring 64 from nine overs and then 52 from seven.

Tom Jenkins joined Laraman at the crease but the pressure began to tell and a disastrous mix-up ended with Laraman run out for 53.

Smith lightened the growing tension by smashing a huge six off his second ball, but was also run-out leaving Hertfordshire needing 28 off four overs.

White was brilliantly caught at extra-cover and in a desperate attempt for a miracle shot Skeggs was bowled leaving David Moore and Jenkins with the unlikely mission of scoring 20 off the last over.

The loss all but rules out Hertfordshire's chances of reaching the semi-finals, and they will be looking to recover the winning habit against Oxfordshire at Aston Rowant on Sunday before starting their Championship programme with a three-day match against Bedfordshire at Hertford starting on Sunday 28 May.