Herts Cricket League

Division Six

Abbots Langley Seconds completed a 17-run win against second-from-bottom Totteridge Millhillians Thirds.

Abbots batted first and lost wickets at regular intervals. But Lewis Hodgins (17) and Will Graves (28) put together what was to prove a match-winning partnership of 40 to leave Abbots on a modest 115 all out.

It proved enough to secure victory though. Quick bowler Aiden Byrne performed excellently to rip through the Totteridge innings with a spell of eight for 41 to leave Abbots victors.

Northwood Seconds suffered a four-wicket defeat against top-of-the-table Ickleford Seconds.

Wood could only reach 154 for nine from their 46 overs. Keith Watson was their top scorer with 57.

It was a target that the league leaders chased down with relative comfort. Ickleford lost six wickets but sealed their victory in the 36th over.

Kings Langley Seconds were left to rue a poor performance with the bat as they lost by five wickets against Hexton.

Kings were asked to bat on a tricky wicket and could only muster 95 before being skittled. That was always unlikely to be a defendable total and, despite taking five wickets, Hexton chased down the required runs with little fuss.

Division Eight

A stubborn last-wicket partnership between Kevin Kelly and Josh Cornes helped Langleybury Thirds hold on for a draw against Bushey Seconds.

Bury youngster Corns was the star performer as he ripped through the Bushey innings to take five for 48.

The ever-economical Kevin Kelly (four for 18) helped Bury dismiss their opponents for just 141.

That looked a total that Langleybury could chase down but they struggled throughout their innings and lost regular wickets.

It was left to Kelly and Cornes to hold out. The latter went on to score 32 – his highest total in senior cricket – and Bury were able to end the game on 107 for nine.

Hemel Hempstead Fourths made it three consecutive wins as they eased to a 84-run victory against Letchworth Garden City Fourths.

Batting first, Steve Smith scored 59 while Andy Burgess (34) and Phil Smith (25 not out) added useful runs as Hemel posted 200 for six.

With the ball, Dave Jenkins (three for nine) and Matt Bateman (one for 15) reduced their opponents to 11 for four after just four overs.

There was no way back for City as they regularly lost wickets. Rahul Wickramsinghe snapped up three for 22 in six overs of spin as Letchworth were skittled for just 114.

Division Nine

Leverstock Green Thirds’ 193 for seven declared was only their second three-figure total of the season – and it proved 78 runs too many for Luton Town & Indians Fourths to chase down.

Opener Graham Evans made a stoic 37, Jamie Wallis hit 30 from number three and there was a fine 50-run middle-order stand between brothers Matt Lake (29) and Dan Lake (24).

In reply, Luton never truly escaped the clutches of Brett Baney’s seam bowling. He took four for 23 and five other bowlers all snared at least a wicket apiece as the hosts were dismissed for 115.

A battling display wasn’t enough for Abbots Langley Thirds who suffered a 45-run defeat against Greenwood Park.

Wood set a total of 228 for four in a reduced overs game due to the weather. Lee Rossitter was the only successful bowler, ending with two for 29.

Abbots’ reply was always controlled and they were in with a chance of winning until a few wickets in quick succession and they were skittled for 183.