Totteridge II 166

Shenley Village 199-2

Herts Cricket League Division Nine

Now isn't a good time to face Shenley as the Villagers are on a roll having dispatched local rivals Elstree and north Londoners Totteridge in the past two weeks.

The Villagers were put into bat last Saturday on a pitch more suited to the bounce of tennis balls, but rapidly made their mark on the game, posting 76 for the first wicket.

Then Colin Searle, so impressive in last week's victory over Elstree, shone until he was removed just after reaching his half-century.

At 111-2 off 38 overs Shenley required 200 for maximum batting points and set about this task with aplomb, Steve Scott (46no) and Chris McDonald (55no) delivering a magical partnership of 88.

Hosts Totteridge made batting look easy and raced their way to 82-2 off just 21 overs. Both sides needed to win in order to aid their promotion bids, and at 144-4 with 11 overs left the home side appeared favourites.

However, two breathtaking catches - one by wicket keeper Perkins and a one-handed catch by Worsnop, not to mention a run out by McDonald in two overs meant Totteridge were in peril.

With the score at 151-7 the embattled hosts attempted to win by throwing their bats at every opportunity. Yet when Lillywhite bagged a five wicket haul (5-22), Totteridge were bowled out for 166 with three overs remaining.