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Blewett curtails carnival

Yorkshire (275-8) bt Herefordshire (124-5) by 151 runs

The town here is decked out in bunting. Unfortunately not in celebration of a first visit by a first-class county in Herefordshire's eight seasons since replacing Durham in the Minor Counties competition.

It is carnival time: the Kington Festival. But the locals diverted from such famous attractions as wheelbarrow racing to make up a goodly crowd at the tranquil and tree-circled Recreation Ground.

Yorkshire, dominant after a flush of form by Greg Blewett and run-a-ball fifties by Craig White and Anthony McGrath, were probably as much at home as Herefordshire's assembly, mostly from Birmingham League clubs.

If they merely guarded against an early finish by fielding first, it was not a bad ploy to bowl on a slow pitch. A lesser side than Yorkshire might not have forced the pace as McGrath did with 10 fours and a six.

White had been first to 50 with his second six in 55 balls before Chris Boroughs, a member of the ECB XI for next week's Triple Crown tournament, took wickets in successive overs.

White failed to clear long on and Michael Vaughan became an authentic bowler's dismissal, hobbling away after being yorked, but Blewett was then approaching a second competitive half-century for Yorkshire.

Herefordshire remained enthusiastic, their best moment coming when Steve Adshead stumped Blewett on the leg side, and then achieved their main objective by batting out the overs. Rob Hughes stayed for 119 balls and Yorkshire eased back with a full quota of spin.