Hemel secure promotion after downing Dunstable (From Watford Observer)

Hemel Hempstead secure promotion after downing Dunstable

1:00pm Friday 31st August 2012 in Sport

Division Seven

Hemel Hempstead Town Thirds secured promotion after completing a four-wicket win against Dunstable Thirds.

Dunstable could only post a total of 120 before being skittled. Phil Freebrey impressed with the ball as he took six for 46.

Solid batting throughout the Hemel order meant they were always likely to reach their target.

Jim Bernie (26), John Clulow (27) and Scott Radcliffe (23) provided the top scores as Hemel chased down the total in 26 overs. 

Division Eight

Langleybury Thirds’ clash against Sawbridgeworth Thirds was abandoned just ten overs into the second innings.

On a damp wicket, it was a surprise that Sawbridgeworth elected to bat but it proved the correct decision as they posted a competitive total of 208 for six.

Ollie Ilott claimed season’s best figures of three for 42 and George Pearce ended with two for 35.

In reply, Alex McLachlan (seven), Ed Pearce (two) and George Pearce (ten) all fell cheaply early into the Bury innings.

Gavin Mawn (15 not out) and Ilott (four not out) held out until the rains finally arrived to end the contest.

Only eight overs of Hemel Hempstead Town Fourths’ match against Great Gaddesden was played before the match was abandoned.

Division Ten

Kings Langley Thirds recorded a one-wicket victory against Northwood Thirds with just one ball remaining.

Kings restricted their visitors to 151 for seven in their 53 overs, with Alex Wright claiming five wickets.

Langley were in trouble with the score at 90 for five but Andrew Colquhoun (60 not out) and Tony Burnell (16 not out) guided them home to keep their slim chance of promotion alive.

Chorleywood Thirds’ promotion push was all but ended after their match against Hitchin was called off midway through the contest.

A below-par batting performance saw Wood bowled out for just 143.

Martin Tyler was the home side’s only batsman to emerge with credit as he hit 93 from just 128 balls faced, including 13 boundaries, before he was the last man out.

Hitchin were only able to face one over in reply before the heavens opened and the match was abandoned.

Division 12

Langleybury Fourths’ clash against Cockfosters Fourths was completed and it was an easy nine-wicket win for Bury. 

After being inserted, Cockfosters could only reach 53 in 24.3 overs before being bowled out.

Opening bowlers Lewis Denham, who bowled well without taking a wicket, and Josh Spinks set about making life uncomfortable for Cockfosters on a surface that did offer some assistance. 

The Cockfosters batsmen returned to the pavilion regularly as Spinks (three for 29) and Josh Cornes (three for five) both impressed with the ball. 

With the rain clouds gathering, Bury skipper Steve Carter decided to try to and finish the game quickly and opened the batting with himself and Josh Roe. 

Carter reached 40 when he was dismissed with the scores level but Roe finished the game off with 11 not out.

Hemel Hempstead Town Fifths were unable to capitalise after bowling Leverstock Green Fourths out for just 109 as the match was abandoned. 

Trevor Radcliffe (four for 14) and Dan Breed (three for 27) were the pick of the Hemel bowlers.