Abbots Langley Seconds continue to flirt with relegation from Herts Division Six B after falling to a four-wicket defeat to Old Haberdashers.

Abbots recorded a respectable 197 for seven in 50 overs after 53 from Sam Bailey and 52 by Aiden Byrne.

But the side were unable to regularly take wickets and build pressure as Old Habs reached the target for the loss of six wickets in the penultimate over. Andrew Rueth did manage four for 22 in an excellent spell.

In Division Eight A, Langleybury Thirds eased to a 115-run win over Reed Thirds.

After the weather of the previous two days, Langleybury felt fortunate to play on Saturday and were put in by their opponents in a critical relegation battle.

Openers Gavin Mawn and Roger Ball (32) saw off the opening attack and set it up for further contributions from Chris Horne (37) and Evan King (29) to reach 185 for seven.

Early wickets from Simon Ross and Alex Denham paved the way for spin kings Kevin Kelly and Darren Crawley to take four wickets apiece, Reed finishing on 70 all out to give Langleybury a much-needed victory.

Hemel Hempstead Town Fourths slipped to just one place off the bottom of Division Eight B after a seven-wicket defeat to Pirton.

Batting first, Hemel could only score 115 all out from 41.5 overs. The top order misfired and it was left to Barney Stain (20) and Arawind Kumar (26) to guide them to three figures.

But Pirton were not under any real pressure at Walnut Tree Road as they eased to the target for the loss of three wickets in just 14.3 overs. Carl Chapman took two for 26 and Scott Radcliffe picked up one for 11 for beaten Hemel.

In Division Nine A, Kings Langley Thirds lost ground in the relegation battle after being thrashed by ten wickets by Hatfield Hyde Seconds.

The side opted to bat first but could only muster a very disappointing total of 73 all out in just 33 overs. Elliot Hutchings and Liberty Maher were the main contributors with the bat but could not steer the team to three figures.

In reply, Hatfield Hyde weren’t troubled as the openers calmly knocked off the total inside 17 overs to claim 30 crucial points.

Abbots Langley Thirds suffered a seven-wicket defeat against runaway Division Nine B leaders Datchworth Seconds.

Nicky Rossiter made 47 in an otherwise average effort against a decent bowling attack as they were dismissed for 124.

This was never going to be enough on the postage stamp Bedmond ground and Datchworth passed the total losing three wickets despite veteran Bob Russell claiming a brace.

A below-strength Chorleywood Thirds lost by five wickets at Ickleford Thirds but picked up some late wickets to ensure they remain in sixth place in Division Ten A with just three games to go.

Batting first, Wood lost wickets regularly and were grateful to a boundary-filled 43 from wicketkeeper Sam Hatfield late on to get them up to a somewhat respectable total as they were eventually bowled out for 128.

In reply, Ickleford started strongly and it wasn’t until Wood turned to spinner Rich Lake that things changed. Lake picked up four quick wickets as the home side had to change their tactics and just settled for getting the job done rather than doing it in boundaries.

Despite Lake’s four for 40 and late wickets from Adrian Bryant, Ickleford finally reached their target in the 24th over to take the 30 points.