CORNWALL suffered their biggest defeat, by runs, in living memory yesterday when they lost to Herefordshire by 266 runs at Truro The only previous highest was the 281 run drubbing Monmouthshire way back in 1906.

Herefordshire had 90 on the board without loss on Sunday in the first hour and went on to bat the full 90 overs, scoring 363-9.

Cornwall relied on spin with Shakil Ahmed taking four for 130 off 35 overs and Neil Ivamy three for 101 off 29 overs.

Cornwall were dismissed for only 159 and have only mustered two first innings batting bonus points out of a possible 20 this year.

It would had been a lot worse if Matt Rowe hadn’t made a fine 78. Herefordshire, with a lead of 204, didn’t enforce the follow on and declared on 195-6 to leave Cornwall 400 to win in the best part of four sessions.

By the close on Monday they had lost four wickets for 56 and hopes of even saving the game looked remote. Their fears were confirmed in the second over after lunch yesterday when they were bowled out for 133.

Matt Robins made his top score of the season of 49. Slow left armer Brad Wadlan had match figures of 10 for 101.