A DEVASTATING, competition-best bowling return by Norfolk skipper Paul Bradshaw scuppered Herefordshire's bid to reach the semi-finals of the MCCA Trophy at Manor Park, Hellesdon.

Herefordshire, chasing 244 runs to win in 50 overs, went down by 97 runs as seamer Bradshaw bagged 7-15 off 9.1 overs, including a hat-trick to dramatically change the course of the game.

Bradshaw trapped opener Gulsharez Ahmed for one but Richard Hall (62) and Henry Langford (27) put on 57 for the second wicket.

At 113-3 off 30 overs, Hereford-shire were in a similar position to that of Norfolk at that stage of their innings.

But the loss of Hall, who hit nine fours in his 107-ball innings, to C Rogers precipitated their collapse. Two runs later Bradshaw bowled Martin McCague for one and with his next two deliveries he dismissed David Exall and Matt Rawnsley for ducks.

Ryan Bradshaw hit an undefeated 22, but Herefordshire's challenge was over and they were all out for 146 in 43.1 overs.

After putting Norfolk in, Herefordshire met with early success as Peter Trego, who spearheaded their attack with 5-47 in his 10 overs, and Tom Glover (1-48) claimed the wickets of C Amos and J Spelman with only 31 runs on the board.

Opener C Rogers (86) stood firm, however, sharing stands of 68 and 87 with T Ward (35) and C Borrott (38) respectively. Bradshaw was also in good form with the bat, contributing 31 to help boost the total to 243-9.

Trego's main bowling support came from left-arm spinner Rawnsley who conceded only 26 runs from his 10 overs.

Herefordshire will aim to bounce back on Sunday when they take on Cornwall in a three-day Minor Counties Championship match at Truro.

West Bromwich batsman and leg spinner Danny Silvock will make his Herefordshire debut. Batsman Mark Dale and seamer Andy Sutton, the former Colwall bowler who is on the MCC groundstaff, will play their first matches of the season for the county. The rest of the side will be Boroughs, Hall, Langford, Trego, Duncan Willetts, Rawnsley, Exall and Richard Parker.

Scorecard: Sports Times 3