9:37am Monday 3rd August 2009
By Anthony Matthews
West Herts dodged the downpours and took a huge step towards preserving their Home Counties Premier League status by winning the battle of the Division Two East basement.
After spinner Ian Gurney had starred with the ball, taking six for 59, to help dismiss bottom club Hertford for 175, Alastair Lewis ended a poor run of form by hitting 73 to help the Stags over the finishing line by four wickets.
Although West Herts remain second from bottom after Saturday’s victory, they are now 39 points clear of Hertford and only five adrift of third-from-bottom St Albans.
However, the rain did end Hemel Hempstead’s hopes of beating Sawbridgeworth at Heath Park.
Having restricted the visitors to 174 for seven, Hemel looked well-placed at 87 for two after just 17 overs when the weather ended proceedings. Brett Penny made 51 for the hosts.
Tom Jenkins (78) and Shane Burger also struck half-centuries for Radlett in their Division One clash with Welwyn Garden City, but this was also curtailed by the elements.
Radlett had made a strong 260 for nine in their innings, and then had their opponents in early trouble at 20 for two when the rain arrived.
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