A SUPERB captain's innings of 127 from skipper Matt Pardoe guided Herefordshire to their first Minor Counties Championship win of the season with a tense two-wicket success over Cornwall.

Herefordshire seemed to be easing to victory in their pursuit of the 239 victory target when Pardoe and teenager Nick Hammond (44) were sharing a century stand for the fifth wicket.

But four wickets, including Pardoe's, fell in quick succession before experienced Dan Conway came in to stay the nerves by hitting his first ball for four.

After a rain-delayed start, Herefordshire had made a promising start after winning the toss and inviting Cornwall to bat.

But the home side's Tom Rowe, with support from skipper Matt Robbins (57), helped the home side to 335 with an excellent innings of 188, including 22 fours and three sixes.

Pete Burgoyne (4-78) was the pick of the visitors' attack.

Hammond (51), Jamie Harrison (44) and Pardoe (35) were the principal contributors to Herefordshire's response but, without anyone playing a major innings, the county were left 87 behind on first innings.

Herefordshire chipped away at the Cornwall second innings with seamers Conway (3-39) and Jamie McIlroy (3-42) leading the way as the home side were dismissed for 151.

And Pardoe, whose fine knock included 11 fours and a six, then showed his credentials to guide his team to victory.