Lewis Koch’s maiden century was just one of many highlights as Leverstock Green produced an outstanding performance to reach the final of the Readers Herts County Trophy, defeating Shenley Village – from two Herts League divisions above – by 40 runs on Sunday.

A large crowd of LGCC supporters roared its delight when Koch took a stunning match-winning catch as day moved towards dusk – Green emerging victors after a tense afternoon’s entertainment containing nearly 600 runs and 20 wickets.

The thrilling win puts Levy in the Herts Trophy Final for only the second time in their history. On Sunday, September 6, they will look to better a 2002 defeat to Letchworth when they face Abbots Langley – who beat Botany Bay – at a venue to be confirmed.

Taking first use of the crease, Green got off to a blistering start with the early loss of Miles Barnard (16) compensated by positive and aggressive stroke-play from Koch – who went on to make a superb 116 – and Kyle Claxton (81) as the pair added more than 150 for the second wicket.

Ajit Kumar produced a cameo 27 then Nahim Iqbal hit a very useful 29-ball 41 as Levy continued to head towards setting a target well in excess of 300 from their 50 overs.

But a later-order collapse meant Shenley would have to chase 317 all out after Green failed to use up their full allotment of overs.

In reply, although Shenley scored steadily and consistently through their top and middle order, Green always had a reasonable control of the situation after a relatively tight start forced the run-rate north of eight an over early on in the chase.

Majid Khan’s good lines yielded him two wickets, one of which was the key opening bat Paresh Kerai for 47, while the pick of the attack was Kumar who returned two for 43 from his ten overs – including the middle-order pair of Tom Bruce and Rob Laney.

Morgan Stanley’s quick-fire knock ended at 46 when he holed out to Nahim Iqbal off Dave Tyson before Koch crowned a magnificent individual day by diving forward to catch Himesh Vekaria off the first ball of Adam Thomas’s second spell.

Abbots reached the final after a 78-run win over Botany Bay.

Abbots batted steadily in their 50 overs, particularly Jack Read (73) and Chris Chellew (62) which allowed their side to post a reasonable 228 for eight.

Bay lost wickets regularly in reply and were never in the hunt, folding for just 150 as Abbots clinched their final date.