Herts Cricket League 

Championship

West Herts got back to winning ways after they defeated second bottom Old Finchleians by five wickets on Saturday.

Put in to bat, Finchleians got off to a good start and looked in a strong position after reaching 50 for one.

However, with the introduction of spin the runs dried up and wickets began to fall. Matt Smith turned in a remarkable spell in which he only conceded 17 runs in 15 consecutive overs.

He finished with two for 27 and spin twins Ian Gurney and Avinash Mane benefitted as they ended with three for 37 and four for 44 respectively. Finchleians posted 162 all out and it was a total that West Herts chased down with relative ease despite losing five wickets.

Avinash Mane top scored with 35 while Anthony Griffin struck 31. Craig Sanders (27), Alastair Lewis (28 not out) and Vinesh Gorasia (23 not out) also made useful contributions.

Langleybury’s miserable league campaign continued as they lost by 78 run against Totteridge Millhillians.

Bury started the game in the field and looked in control after reducing Millhillians to 106 for five at lunch.

However, Totteridge regrouped and ended on 182. Rhys Williams, Ross Channer and Khalid Manzoor each took three wickets.

In reply Bury struggled against an attack inspired by former England spinner John Emburey, who claimed four for 19, and were all out for 104.

The only bright spark of the innings was a patient top score of 28 by youngster Josh Roe.

Chorleywood suffered their third defeat of the campaign as they went down by three wickets against league-leaders Hertford.

Wood batted first and posted a decent, if not forbidding total of 216. James Rose and Will Pendred top-scored as they both posted 55.

Wood then struggled to make inroads into the home side’s batting line-up as Hertford put together significant partnerships early on to put themselves in control.

Wood did fight back with three wickets for Jamie Smithson and two for Dave Bushnell but Hertford were able to reach their target in the 49th over to secure the 30 points.

Premier Division

Hemel Hempstead were made to pay for a below-par batting display as they were thrashed by eight wickets against Harpenden.

After losing the toss, Hemel were inserted by their opponents. Wickets began to tumble quickly and Jay O’Nien was the only batsman to show resistance with a knock of 62.

Hemel were dismissed for just 141 in 38 overs and that was never a large enough total to defend.

Herts’ Minor Counties batsman Ben Frazer was in ruthless mood and hit 100 of just 72 balls. It meant Harpenden needed only 24 overs to secure maximum points.

Division One

Kings Langley secured their first league win of the season and also moved out of the relegation zone after they defeated Ampthill Town by 22 runs.

Batting first, Kings were 169 for seven before Mark Brazier (68) and Andrew Burnell (43 not out) boosted the score to 240 all out. Harry Sambrook had earlier struck an impressive 78.

In reply, Ampthill were 60 for six and were staring at a heavy defeat before a late order rally got them closer to their target.

But they were bowled out for 218 with Kings’ Andrew Burnell claiming six for 45 and Brazier ending with two for 45 which completed a fine all-round performance.