GIANTKILLERS Here-fordshire missed an opportunity to face the big guns, crashing to a 103-run Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy second-round defeat in a rain-hit clash against Suffolk.

Having already claimed the prize scalp of Middlesex before bowing out at Worcestershire in the fourth round this season, Herefordshire failed to reproduce their top form at Bury St Edmonds in the opening rounds for 2002.

The county struggled without their two premier bowlers, ex-Nottingham-shire and Gloucestershire star Kevin Cooper and Paul Humphries, despite the inclusion of West Indian all-rounder Lincoln Roberts.

Twenty-seven-year-old Roberts, who made a Test match appearance for the West Indies against Australia at Jamaica in 1998, grabbed 2-36 off six overs and Nick Davies picked up 2-30 off 10 in an ultimately disappointing Herefordshire bowling display.

The county conceded 21 wides and 18 no balls, contributing to the Eastern Division side's daunting total of 254-7.

At one stage, however, it looked good for Herefordshire as they reduced Suffolk to 99-4 and then 127-5. Andy Squire (29) and Chris Seal (41) repaired the damage with a 34-run sixth-wicket stand.But it was the 92-run seventh-wicket partnership between Seal and Chris Warn (52 not out) which sent the Suffolk spirits soaring. The destructive Warn blasted three sixes and two fours in his impressive 40-ball knock.

In reply, Herefordshire suffered a double blow, losing Harshad Patel and Nathan Round with fewer than seven runs on the board, and they were never in the victory hunt.

Although wicket-keeper Ismail Dawood made 24, Herefordshire soon slum-ped to 94-6.

Only a defiant undefeated 59 by captain Chris Boroughs stopped the rot before Herefordshire were dismissed in the 42nd over for 151.