Leverstock promotion hopes dented after draw (From Watford Observer)

Leverstock promotion hopes dented after draw

2:40pm Friday 17th August 2012 in Sport

Saracens Herts Cricket League 

Division Six

Leverstock Green Seconds played out a disappointing draw with fellow promotion hopefuls Flitwick Seconds.

Green had Flitwick – who batted first – on the back foot and at one stage they were sitting nervously on 30 for four, but a strong innings by Phil Thurstance (71) brought them to 164 for nine.

Nevertheless, this was still a total that could be reached, and Green will be disappointed that they failed to chase it down.

Dave Tyson put in a strong effort with a quick-fire 60 runs, but the wickets fell around him regularly, meaning Leverstock could only muster 153 for seven in their allotted overs.

Kings Langley Seconds enjoyed a comfortable afternoon as they ended up seven-wicket winners against Ickleford Seconds.

The latter opened the batting, but were limited to only 142 all out as the wickets were shared between the Kings attack.

In reply, Kings quickly racked up the runs to reach 145 for three. Tom Clarke was the pick of the order as he hit a magnificent 51.

Division Seven

Abbots Langley Seconds gained ground on the promotion places as they registered a vital three-wicket win over Stevenage Thirds.

On a small pitch, Abbots elected to field and bowled well whilst keeping the field tight, therefore they limited Stevenage to 150 for nine. They rallied in response and didn’t take long to chase down the required runs and, despite losing some late wickets, they comfortably reached 151 for seven to seal victory.

Division Eight

Hemel Hempstead Fourths fought back after an early collapse to secure a draw against Letchworth Garden City Fourths.

Letchworth opted to bat first and charged to a total of 238 for the loss of only eight wickets.

Hemel looked to chase down the large total, but an early collapse from the top order meant they were facing defeat.

Adam Wilson and Billy May steadied the ship, putting on a defensive 50 partnership to help Hemel to 179 for six and hold out for the draw.

Langleybury Thirds suffered a batting collapse to lose by 18 runs in a very low scoring game against Great Gaddesden.

The bowlers stole the show as Gaddesden opened the batting and lost wickets quickly to total up a meagre 86 all out. Spinner Darren Crawley was the pick of the bowlers as he took four for 26.

However, Langleybury wilted in response. They looked comfortable in the start but once one wicket fell the rest soon followed.

John Cheeseman inspired the Gaddesden fight back, as he took an incredible nine for 36, including a three wicket maiden that limited Bury to just 68 all out.

Division Nine

Northwood Town Seconds performed wonderfully with the bat to achieve a seven-wicket victory over London Colney Seconds.

Colney batted first and looked rather comfortable as Town’s lacklustre performance in the field saw them rack up 220 for four. Northwood knew a large run chase was on and things looked even bleaker with the fall of an early wicket.

However, Adam Hill entered the fray with an emphatic unbeaten 142 – including 17 fours and eight sixes – to steer Town comfortably over the line with 223 for three.