Division 11 West

Langleybury Fourths recorded their first win of the campaign as they defeated Hemel Hempstead Fifths by 72 runs.

Bury batted first and set a total of 156. The main contributors to that score were Alex McLachlan (39), Paul Crawley (45) and Scott Dormody (54 not out).

It was a total Hemel felt they could chase down but a disappointing innings followed. Only Chris Wright (13), Mike Samuels (20) and Rishi Shah (10) made double figures as Hemel were skittled for just 84.

Chipperfield Clarendon Thirds were held to a draw in a rain-affected match with Old Elizabethans Thirds.

Chipperfield lost the toss and were asked to bat by their opponents. Elizabethans claimed an early wicket but a second-wicket stand of 56 between Dave Bunning and Guy Kempston saw the home side on course for a reasonable total.

When Bunning was dismissed for 41, Kempston (75 not out) assumed control and held the middle order together to score his maiden half-century for the club and saw the Chipperdons make 175 for five.

A fine opening spell of bowling from Chris Oliver (five for 63) and Matt Parrott (three for 32) saw wickets regularly fall.

Despite some good fielding and some fine catches, three crucial dropped catches gave Old Elizabethans a lifeline and they managed to hold on for a draw, finishing on 124 for nine at the close.

Watford Town Thirds eased to a comprehensive eight-wicket win against Boxmoor Thirds.

Watford won the toss and decided to insert their opponents. It proved the correct decision as they were dismissed for just 45.

Zirak Khan produced a devastating display to end with fine figures of six for 22 while Tejas Rach also impressed with the ball, ending with four for 20.

In reply, Watford coasted as they chased down the runs with ease. They did lose two wickets but Sandeep Shinagare steered the side to victory with 20 not out.

Division 12 West

A below-strength Chorleywood Fourths secured a thumping nine-wicket win over Abbots Langley Fourths to move up to second place in the league.

Mick Rose once again showed his class as he picked up another five-wicket haul, this time taking five for 23 from 17.3 overs as he bowled unchanged.

Fellow opener Neil Hodson chipped in with three for 24 whilst Gary Proctor picked up the other two wickets as Abbots were bundled out for just 96.

The only batsmen to reach double figures were Matt Longworth (21) and Chris Wilcox (27).

Wood then wasted no time in securing the 30 points as they raced to victory in just 14.2 overs. Opener Sam Hatfield fell without scoring but Josh Livingstone and skipper Steve Dunning got stuck into the Abbots bowling and dispatched the ball to all parts.

Livingstone hit 48 not out whilst Dunning finished unbeaten on 42.

A superb batting display by Watford Town Fourths kept the side at the top of the table after they defeated West Herts Fourths by six wickets. West Herts scored a challenging 197 runs despite Sandeep Singh recording his best figures this season of six for 30.

In reply Syed Shahzaib (64) and Murali Sekar (54) shared an opening partnership of 108. With Darren Curry (26 not out) and Grant East (14 not out) Watford Town scored 200 and coasted to victory.

Kings Langley Fourths suffered a three-wicket defeat against Frogmore Seconds.

Kings were asked to bat first and scored a disappointing 131 for nine in a rain-affected match.

Frogmore’s Liam Dalziel took all of the Kings wickets and had the last man dropped as he finished with superb figures of nine for 63.

Frogmore were in desperate trouble in their reply but Dalziel then came to the wicket and proceeded to plunder 67 not out to steer his side to an unlikely victory.

Tony Thompson took four for 38 and Billy Stephenson took three for 39 for Kings.

Friendlies 

Divisions 12 West and East met at Parmiter’s School as Leverstock Green Fourths and Datchworth Thirds made the most of a late concession each to face each other for some Herts League practise on Saturday, Green coming out on top by a margin of 27 runs.

Youngster Charlie Cooke starred for Levy with bat and ball, contributing 30 to Green’s total of 146 for eight and taking three Datchworth wickets. David Wilson’s 35 also helped the hosts set a total that proved out of reach for the Division 12 (East) visitors.

For the first time in the club’s history, Watford Town fielded a sixth XI but it wasn’t to be a winning start for the new side as they were beaten by 64 runs by North Weald.

North Weald batted first and got 154 for eight from their 40 overs. Fourteen-year-old Connor Knight took six for 29 off nine overs and was the stand-out performer with the ball.

Watford were unable to produce a strong innings in reply and could only manage 90 before being dismissed. Hamzah Khan top scored for the Watford side with 24 not out while Ian Hollingshead made a useful 21.

Hemel Hempstead’s Sunday Seconds recorded a 160-run win against Preston in a friendly 40-over match.

Hemel batted first and posted 303 for seven. Josh Graves smashed 123 while Steve Smith (41), Will Langley (36 not out) and Matt Dale (27) also contributed.

That proved too much for Preston to overcome, especially given the form of the Hemel bowlers. Adam Moulster claimed three for 17 and Brad Finch took two for 36 as Preston were skittled for a total of 143.