Issues to be resolved (From Watford Observer)

Final day in Saracens Herts League beckons

2:10pm Friday 4th September 2009 in Sport By Anthony Matthews

The cricket season reaches its conclusion tomorrow and some of our local sides still have everything to play for in the Herts League.

With a 15-point lead over third-placed Old Finchleians, Division Two leaders Radlett Seconds may still need to beat Watford Town to secure promotion.

But if a 13th win of the season is acheived the Cobden Hill side will also lift the title, irrespective of how Luton Town and Indians, who are level on points with the table toppers, get on in their final fixture at home to Ampthill Town.

There is less pressure on Hemel Hempstead Seconds in Division Three as they secured promotion last weekend, but with only a two-point cushion over second-placed Letchworth Seconds there is no room for error if they want to secure the league trophy at home to Ickleford.

Division Four sees concerns of a different kind for two local sides at the wrong end of the table and involved in an incredibly tight scrap to stay afloat.

West Herts seconds may be second from bottom but they are just one point behind Langleybury Seconds, who, in turn, are one point adrift of the last safe spot in the division, currently occupied by Dunstable Seconds.

Both West Herts and Bury are away on the final day, at mid-table Holtwhites Trinibis and Potton Town respectively, but to add to the potential drama Dunstable entertain the side directly above them in the table, Hatfield Hyde.

However, Hatfield are 23 points clear of the drop zone and should be safe, along with Radlett Thirds, who would have to be on the wrong end of an unlikely 27-point swing to be relegated.

Bushey can mathematically still be promoted from Division Five, along with champions Met Police Bushey, but will need to bridge an unlikely 25-point deficit at home to Botany Bay and need a number of other results to go their way.

One team who could do them a favour is Northwood Seconds, who travel to promotion hopefuls Parkfield and Headstone, with a 15-point margin of error over the three relegation berths.

Leverstock Green Seconds are almost there in Division Six, but may need at least 14 points to make sure of Division Five cricket next season when they make the trip to struggling Flitwick seconds.

Already-promoted Watford Town Seconds will be hoping to become the only team in the Herts League to go through the whole campaign unbeaten when they take on Harpenden Fourths at Woodside.

However, they cannot afford a last day slip-up if they want to win the championship as well, as Flamstead continue to snap at their heels, just two points adrift.

The Division Eight crown is promoted Hemel Hempstead Fourths to lose, with an 18-point lead over Bentley Heath going into their final day trip to Old Owens Seconds.

Rickmansworth Thirds go into their home date with Old Camdenians Seconds knowing that as long as their result is not six or more points worse than Baldock Seconds achieve against Offley and Stopsley, they will be safe in Division Nine for another year.

Only a mathematical miracle can step Met Police Bushey Seconds making it a promotion double for the Aldenham Road club, following the First XI’s success in Division Five, while Northwood Thirds will be hoping to join them in Division Nine in 2010.

Wood are just a single point off the fourth relegation spot going into their home game with Old Elizabethans Seconds, while Police entertain West Herts Thirds.

The final local issues to be settled are at opposite ends of the Division 12 table.

Hemel Hempstead Fifths occupy the fourth and final promotion position ahead of their trip to Old Albanian IV, but Preston Thirds and Ware Seconds can still beat them to it.

Preston though, travel to a Leverstock Green Fourths side who may still need a result for different reasons, although it would take a swing in excess of 20 points to see them drop down another level.