Parlane's back with a bang (From Watford Observer)

Parlane's back with a bang

11:13am Monday 1st June 2009 in

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Neal Parlane celebrated his first outing of the season with a century as West Herts picked up their first Home Counties Premier League win of the campaign.

The New Zealand star missed the first three weekends of the season due to visa problems, but on Saturday he showed how important he is to the Stags’ fortunes by cracking 104 as his side thrashed Hertford by 149 runs in Division Two East.

Former skipper Matt Smith continued his good run of form by making 56 as West Herts made 251 for five, and he then claimed four for 17 with his off spin as Hertford were dismissed for 102.

The win was enough to take the Stags off the bottom of the table, but Hemel Hempstead are now up to second in Division Two East after an equally impressive 142-run victory over Sawbridgeworth.

Hemel amassed a mammoth 297 for eight in their 60 overs, thanks mainly to more impressive contributions from Hemish Ilangaratne (87) and Riccy Mohamed (77).

Michael Burrell was in good touch in Sawbo’s reply, but his knock of 72 was not enough to prevent his side from being dismissed for 155.

A good Saturday for the local HCPL sides was completed by Radlett, who also notched their first Division One win of the season with a five-wicket triumph over Welwyn Garden City.

Set 240 for nine, the Cobden Hill side reached the target inside 44 overs thanks in no small part to the efforts of captain Shane Burger’s unbeaten 90. Leo Sandino-Taylor also scored a half-century with 55.