All-rounder Tom Rash says victory over Bedfordshire shows that Suffolk’s cricketers have put the disappointment of their Unicorns KO Trophy semi-final exit firmly behind them, writes Nick Garnham.

Mildenhall skipper Rash played a pivotal role in Suffolk’s 163-run success over Bedfordshire in the three-day fixture at the Victory Ground in Bury St Edmunds.

He top-scored with 59 and, together with Bury all-rounder Josh Cantrell, who struck an undefeated 43, rescued the home team from 154 for 7 in their first innings on Sunday.

The pair put on 84 for the eighth wicket as Suffolk recovered to post 291 all out, before Rash recorded career-best bowling figures for the county of 15-4-38-6 as the visitors were dismissed for just 105.

Suffolk decided against enforcing the follow-on, and racked up 320 for 3 declared in their second innings, with Jaik Mickleburgh making 173 not out, setting Bedfordshire an improbable 507 to win.

The visitors resisted stubbornly second time around, taking the match into the last hour before Rash claimed his second wicket of the innings to clinch victory for Suffolk.

Head coach Andy Northcote had said before the game that the Suffolk players were hurting after their defeat a week earlier to Devon, who won by virtue of losing fewer wickets.

Rash, who took 2 for 48 in Bedfordshire’s second innings, said: “We have definitely shown how together the side are. We have said it a lot, but it goes to show we are a bunch of blokes who enjoy each other’s company.

“Although we enjoy one-day success, a three-day victory is much more satisfying because it takes 20 wickets and three days in the dirt to win a game.”

Rash, who used to play for Bury St Edmunds before joining Copdock and then switching to Mildenhall this season, added: “To take the last wicket was really sweet. I love playing at Bury St Edmunds and I have always done reasonably well here.

“Having played club cricket here I know the pitch well and they always produce a good cricket wicket which has something in it for the bowlers and pace on the ball for the batsmen.”