Hertfordshire s cricketers managed in one day to do what the World Cup in the Caribbean often failed to do in more than six weeks – produce a truly thrilling game! They kicked off their season with a nailbiting win over one of the strongest Minor Counties

Hertfordshire's cricketers managed in one day to do what the World Cup in the Caribbean often failed to do in more than six weeks - produce a truly thrilling game!

They kicked off their season with a nailbiting win over one of the strongest Minor Counties, Buckinghamshire, at Slough on Sunday.

A tie (255 runs apiece) resulted in Herts winning on fewer wickets lost.

Skipper Andy Lewis, starting his second season in charge, won the toss and had no hesitation on batting first on a fast, bouncy pitch.

After the openers put on 65, Lewis was dismissed first ball by an absolute beauty.

Steve Cordingley then top scored with 65 as Herts reached 255-7.

In reply, Herts tried to suffocate the strong Bucks batting line-up from the start.

Knebworth Park's Tony Skeggs was hit for two fours in his first three balls but then bowled well to finish with 1-40 to continue the fine work to put Bucks slightly behind the asking rate.

Bucks slumped to 130-7 in the 35th over before staging a recovery and the drama in the final over as they finished on 255-8.

Skipper Lewis said: "I was just trying to stay as calm as possible, knowing that the team would hang in there. This shows we can compete with the best teams and should send us into the rest of the season with real confidence."

Herts' next match is another one-day trophy group match, at Long Marston, against Oxfordshire on Sunday, May 13 (11am).

Full Herts fixtures in next week's Comet.