After a match of wildly fluctuating fortunes, Bucks eventually defeated Bedfordshire by 34 runs at Flitwick on Tuesday to record their first victory of the season in National Counties Eastern Division 1.

After dominating the first day thanks to excellent centuries from Alexei Kervezee and Cameron Hemp, Bucks seemed in command. But a second-innings collapse turned the fortunes around and made Beds marginal favourites.

However, an inspired spell of pace bowling from skipper Tom Hampton, who took 5-26, saw Bucks squeeze home amid mounting tension to keep alive their chances of retaining the National Counties Championship title 

After winning the toss, Bucks rattled up a mammoth total of 468-7 from their 90 overs in the first innings.

Kervezee led the way with a spectacular 180 from 152 balls with a six and 25 fours. Hemp scored his second successive ton, making 105 from 118 balls with three sixes and 14 fours. Kervezee shared century partnerships with George Harvey (48) and Ed Bragg (55) as Bucks ran riot.

Bedfordshire, 90-1 overnight, also made the most of a benign pitch and a fast outfield on the second day to reply with 379 all out from 89.5 overs. The hosts, too, had two century-makers. Young Jake Tarling, who joined Beds from Bucks this season, made 126 from 237 balls, while George Thurstance hammered 108 from 126 balls with three sixes and seven fours.

With a first-innings lead of 89, Bucks seemed in command but their batsmen, after fielding in the extreme heat, succumbed to excellent fast bowling from Matt Coles and Jack Fuller and slumped to 64-6 in their second innings. They eventually struggled to 134 all out, setting Beds 224 for victory.

At 70-1, the hosts were favourites to pull off an unlikely victory. But an inspired three-wicket spell from Hampton turned the match around.

And despite a frustrating last-wicket stand of 33, Bucks dismissed the home county for 189 to pull off a memorable victory.

Scorecard

The Eastern Division 1 title will be decided when Bucks entertain leaders Staffordshire at High Wycombe, starting this Sunday.

NATIONAL COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP 

Eastern Division 1 table