Chris Schofield had one regret after taking the eight Herfordshire wickets to fall on the second day of Suffolk's Minor Counties Championship game at Long MarstonThe leg spinner, who played two Test matches for England in 2000, has never taken nine wickets in an innings.

By Elvin King

Chris Schofield had one regret after taking the eight Herfordshire wickets to fall on the second day of Suffolk's Minor Counties Championship game at Long Marston

The leg spinner, who played two Test matches for England in 2000, has never taken nine wickets in an innings. “I have done eight before, but never nine,” he said. “I was hoping I could do it this time and for a while it looked as though we might force Herts to follow on.

“But I have to be happy with eight - and we still have a chance of winning this game if we can score quickly enough in the morning to set Herts around 250 to get in the final two sessions.”

Suffolk lead by 72 runs after the first innings and, thanks to Schofield taking a wicket in his final over, gained the maximum eight bonus points. He was struck for five late sixes as the home team went for runs. But this should not detract from a highly professional and skilful show from the wily spinner on a wicket that did not suit the pacemen.

Rain arrived as forecast at mid-afternoon, just as Suffolk were about to start their second innings. A halt for the day was called at 5.40pm.

This could prove costly to Suffolk today, as an hour's extra play last night up to the cut-off time of 8pm could have seen 17 overs and around 100 runs to Suffolk.

Earlier, the players came off after just 10 balls for what only proved to be a short shower, with Herts skipper Andy Lewis and opener Chris Stead looking solid in the first hour. Lewis went to a fine catch by Nick Lee at short leg when he juggled the ball with his right hand low down a couple of times before holding on.

David Ward, formerly of Surrey, and Aaron Laraman were the main Herts dangermen but Schofield removed them both.