Despite a sublime century from Kushal Patel Bessborough fell at the first hurdle of the Royal London Club Championship, losing a close encounter with Harpenden on Sunday.

Visitors Harpenden won the toss and elected to bat first but Jay Chavda (two for 59) made the most of the conditions to take two early wickets.

And the away side were in a spot of bother at 45 for three.

But an excellent 96-run partnership between skipper Jake Pankhurst (94) and wicket keeper Harry Josephs (40) followed to help boost the Harpenden score to 141.

Two for 18 from vice-captain Sahil Hathi helped slow the pace and a remarkable final over saw Gihan Pallage finish with figures of four for 33 as Harpenden closed on 235 for nine.

Patel hit a stunning 128 in reply and alongside Ishan Shah (7) helped put on 34 before the latter departed.

Shiv Patel (5) was also short-lived at the crease but the pairing of Patel and Chavda (23) helped moved the score along for Bessborough.

Following the exit of Chavda, Bessborough struggled to put together lasting partnerships.

However, for as long as Kushal remained at the crease they were still in the game.

Needing roughly seven-and-a-half runs per over heading into the final ten, the home side fell 13 runs short of the chase, ending on 222 for eight from 45 overs.

The firsts lost a friendly to Old Actonians by 16 runs on Saturday, whilst the seconds were crushed by 180 runs by the same side.