HEREFORDSHIRE reached the last eight of the Midlands County Cricket Association Knockout Trophy with a four-wicket defeat of Bedfordshire at Luctonians yesterday.

Herefordshire, who travel to Norfolk in the quarter-finals, won the toss and put the visitors in to bat.

And the decision reaped instant rewards as Martin McCague had James Knott, son of former England great Alan, caught with his first delivery.

That set the tone for the 50-over match as last season's Eastern Division champions Bedfordshire struggled on, slumping to 74-8 at one stage.

Then a lower-order rally saw them eventually dismissed for 146 by Herefordshire.

Number nine Steve Watts (34) and Shaun Rashid (34 not out) top scored, while home skipper Chris Burrows (4-29) and McCague (3-23) were the pick of the bowlers.

Hereford encountered few problems en route to victory as former Worcestershire man Peter Trego led the way with a 44 that included three sixes and six fours.

Richard Hall chipped in with 29, as did McCague, his knock featuring two sixes and two fours. David Exall finished unbeaten on 21.

Bedfordshire skipper Andy Roberts recorded their best bowling figures of 4-21.