Lincolnshire captain Mark Fell signalled his return to the county team with an innings of 42 in the latest Minor Counties Championship match at Bedford. Fell, who missed the last two matches because of his new born son's illness, had won the toss, but then saw his side reduced to 33 for two.

But Richard Howitt and Jon Trower hit 61 and 62 respectively and with the score on 211 for nine, Cleethorpes team mates Stuart Airey and Jonathan Davies shared a partnership of 46 before Davies was bowled for 37 to end the innings on 257. Bedfordshire captain and slow bowler Andy Roberts took seven for 85 off 40 overs, and with 19 left in the day's play, the Lincs bowlers were also among the wickets.

Martyn Dobson bowled six overs to claim two for 13, while David Pipes took one for 13 off seven to leave the home side on 33 for three.

© Lincolnshire CCC