Herts Cricket League 

Division Four

Langleybury Seconds claimed their first away win of the season by sealing a six-wicket win at Hatfield and Crusaders on Saturday.

Three wickets each for Kevin Affleck, Andy Stone and Nigel Illott before the change gave the Bury batsmen an achievable target on a useful surface.

An impressive partnership of 85 between captain Andy Felton and Matt Fry provided an efficient 27 not out from Steven Fry to seal the victory.

Five wickets from Chorleywood Seconds’ Josh Ryan guided the side to a 36-run victory over Hertford & Bayford in a low-scoring encounter.

Neil Ret (37) and Matt Rose (33) were the only Wood batsmen to make reasonable contributions as the hosts found themselves in the compromising position of being all out for just 140.

Wood looked destined for defeat but Ryan’s superb bowling display was built upon by Gavin Brown (three for 25) and Ciaran Lad (two for 36) as the home side dismissed Hertford & Bayford for 104.

Division Five

Hemel Hempstead Town Thirds were crushed by six wickets by Harpenden Thirds following a poor batting display.

Removed for just 83, Adam Moulster top-scored with a paltry 18 and only two other batsmen, Chris Nuttall (14) and John Clulow (13) even hit double figures en-route to a meagre 83 all out.

Harpenden secured the win by reaching 85 with six wickets in hand. Ian Gabaldoni hit 22 and Liam Brown managed 39 as the visitors eased home.

Division Six

Abbots Langley Seconds were swatted aside by Shenley Village Seconds, going down by eight wickets. Dave Carlisle (44) was the only Abbots batsman to offer any resistance as the hosts were removed for 127.

In reply, Shenley Village reached 128 with eight wickets to spare.

Division Eight

Langleybury Thirds produced a strong comeback after an early collapse to beat visiting Northampton Exiles Seconds by 38 runs.

Batting first on a soft, challenging surface, Langleybury were very quickly five down for 26, before a resurgent 51 not out from Ian Woodward helped see out the full 53 overs with the hosts reaching 141 for nine.

Pace bowler Simon Ross took two early Northampton wickets and sustained pressure from Ian Woodward (three wickets) and Eddie Gunning (three wickets) gradually throttled the visitors, who were dismissed for 107.

Hemel Hempstead Town Fourths slipped to a one-wicket defeat at home to Bushey Seconds in spite of some late resistance from the tail.

Jim Birnie opened with 55 before a collapse ensued which left Hemel on 96 for six. However, 50 from Gus Scott-Morriss and 31 from Andy Burgess dragged the hosts up to 195 for eight at the close.

Visitors Bushey were similarly reliant on their lower order batsmen, with Parvinder Singh (47 not out) and Sarthak Varma (39) providing key knocks in a total of 200 for nine.

Tony Beamish took three wickets for Hemel but at a cost of 86 runs, whilst Scott-Morriss finished with three for 30.