Saracens Herts Cricket League 

Premier Division

Hemel Hempstead Town claimed a dramatic three-wicket victory over Welwyn Garden City, with some fine late-order hitting securing the win.

Put into bat first, Welwyn started strongly and 89 from James Hewitt looked like making life uncomfortable for Town.

However, Parth Mehta took four for 32 and aided by Jay O’Nien (three for 29), Hemel began to wear their visitors down, eventually removing them for 203.

The early dismissal of Brett Penny (2) was made up for by Hemish Ilangaratne (60 not out) before a middle-order collapse saw the hosts falter.

However, late-order runs from Matt Dale (30) and Ali Leighton (45) pushed Hemel to 204 for seven.

Championship

Langleybury beat visitors Reed by 45 runs to secure their third win of the season.

The hosts got off to a quick start through openers Nayim Amin (33) and Mo Manzoor (54) after Reed elected to field.

Luke Samarasinghe scored well with 55 to help build a total of 261 for six from 50 overs.

The Reed batsmen also started positively but tight bowling from Habib Alam and Ross Channer, with two wickets apiece, accounted for Reed on 216.

Chorleywood put together back-to-back victories by beating Totteridge Millhillians by 29 runs.

Batting first, Wood put up a competitive total of 235 for ten thanks to an aggressive 62 from Scott Aspinall and Tom Smithson’s first half-century of the season.

Left-arm spinner Will Pendred then came to the fore for the home side, taking three wickets for just 19 runs as Totteridge were removed for 206.

Division Two

Abbots Langley were denied a third successive win by bottom-of-the-league Baldock who held them for a draw – despite Mat Dunstone’s 93.

Batting from the off, Abbots lost wickets early on but steady play from Tom Carson and Blesson Ghoghe (34) took Abbots to 70 for four.

But the star for Abbots was captain Dunstone, who put on a show with a fantastic innings of 93 as Abbots were removed for 183.

Baldock got their reply off to a good start, reaching 123 for the loss of just two.

Spinners Dunstone (five for 48) and Dom Smith (three for 32) then turned on the pressure and took a number of quick wickets.

The spinners’ efforts paid off to leave Abbots needing three wickets in the last over to win.

Dunstone claimed two but could not find a third as Baldock were able to hang in and secure a draw.

Division Three

Akshay Loomba’s first ever century was not enough for Northwood Town as they fell to a four-wicket loss at home to Bushey.

Whilst Town’s other batsmen struggled against Bushey’s spin attack, Loomba saw off deliveries with ease to record a landmark innings of 120 from 197 balls.

Loomba gradually curtailed his attacking nature in a composed maiden ton, which included 12 fours and an impressive six, to bring the home side’s total to 198 all out from 53 overs.

A good fielding display was in order to restrict an offensive Bushey and Kyle Lawrence did his bit by removing dangerous Bushey batsman Sharma.

However, defeat loomed for Town as they struggled to break up the resilient partnership of Cogna and Ilyas. Veer Vadgama finished with (three for 65) but the visitors reached 199 with four wickets in hand.