HEREFORDSHIRE CCC's leading bowler Kevin Cooper has announced his decision to retire after a 65-run defeat against Cornwall at Luctonians brought down the curtain on the defending Western Division champions' disappointing Minor Counties Championship campaign.

The former Nottinghamshire and Gloucestershire seamer was a spearhead of the Herefordshire attack for eight seasons, taking a club record 221 championship wickets and 245 wickets in all competitions.

Nottingham-based Cooper, who first appeared for Herefordshire in 1996, was a key player in the county's maiden Western Division title success last season.

Cooper also landed the Frank Edwards Bowling Trophy for two seasons in succession for having the best bowling average in the Minor Counties Championship.

However, the 45-year-old bowler was dogged by injury this season, which severely limited his appearances for Herefordshire who have finished mid-table in the Western Division.

In fact, Cooper bowed out on a sad note because he finished wicketless in Cornwall's first innings and a nasty hand injury sustained while fielding prevented him from bowling in the visitors' second innings and then from batting on the final evening.

Now Cooper intends to move to New Zealand where he hopes to take up a coaching role in the First Class arena.

Herefordshire CCC chairman Gwynne Jones said: "Kevin has been an outstanding servant for the club and we are all extremely sad to see him go.

"He has been a model professional, the best we have ever had at the club."

In the match, itself, Herefordshire made a dream start when Martin McCague snapped up two wickets in the opening over, but Cornwall recovered to reach 400.

Former Worcestershire batsman Ryan Driver was the star of the visitors' first innings, striking 22 boundaries in 136 off just 143 deliveries. McCague finished with 4-128 from 25 overs, with the returning James Brinkley, 3-71 off 10.

Despite losing three early wickets, Herefordshire also recovered well to score 327-9 in their first innings, with Ismail Dawood (84), Matthew Rawnsley (70 not out) and Nick Davies (52) making significant contributions.

Left-arm spinner Rawnsley capped a fine performance by taking 6-79 in Cornwall's second innings of 216, which left Herefordshire needing 290 runs to win in their second innings from a minimum of 58 overs.

Opener Harshad Patel made 60, Brinkley hit a late 47 and Karl Pearson weighed in with 36, but Herefordshire were dismissed for 224 in the final hour of the match.

Meanwhile, Devon have claimed the Western Division title and will meet Eastern Division winners Lincolnshire at Cleethorpes in the championship play-off match.