Chess Valley League

Division One

Hemel Hempstead got their campaign off to a winning start as they recorded a convincing 104-run win against newly-promoted Tring Park on Sunday.

Hemel lost the toss and were inserted by their opponents. Tom Waterton struck 53, Billy May added 59 and Josh Graves scored 52 to help Hemel post an imposing 294 for nine from 45 overs.

Eight different bowlers were used by Hemel, the pick of which was Anjam Khan who took three for 21 as Tring were dismissed for 190.

Division Four

Chorleywood recorded their second successive win as they dominated Old Albanians to secure a 91-run victory.

Batting first, Wood piled on the runs to post 233 for six from their 45 overs. Opener Callum Neal top-scored with a boundary-filled 73 before Vikash Patel hit 50 late on.

Wicket-keeper Andy Orange charged to an unbeaten 54 in the final overs of the innings with a flurry of boundaries all around the ground as he shared a stand of 118 for the sixth wicket with Patel.

Wood’s bowlers were then able to comfortably dismiss Albanians for just 142.

Matt Hodson continued his excellent form with another five-wicket haul – this time taking five for 35 from his ten overs. Sujoy Dey also picked up two early wickets as Wood strolled to victory.

Division Seven

A much-diminished Hemel Hempstead Seconds side slipped to a 51-run defeat against Boxmoor.

Hemel began the game in the field but they were unable to restrict their opponents, who posted a commanding total of 235. Richard Morton was the stand-out bowler and he ended with five for 58 from his ten overs.

Steve Smith struck 56 for Hemel with the bat while Jim Langley added a useful 37. However, another match-winning score wasn’t there for Hemel who fell short of their target and were dismissed for 184.