WEST HERTS' grip on The Watford Observer Linden Homes Knockout Cricket Trophy was broken in thrilling fashion by competition newcomers Harefield last Thursday (June 5).

In a superb match, featuring more than 300 runs, Harefield booked their place in the Quarter-Finals by a nine-run margin.

Batting first, Harefield went on the attack from the outset, with Richard McLeod (20) and Simon Prodger (18) putting on 34 for the first wicket.

However, it was the excellent scoring of Akshay Reddy (44) and Aiden Hill (43) that really did the damage to West Herts' hopes as they pushed the total up to a fine closing score of 155-4.

All of the Stags' bowlers conceded more than ten an over, although Paul Eversfield (2-47) and Mike Hodges (2-31) did pick up two wickets apiece.

In reply, Kie Farrell (16), Matt Smith (4) and Jimmy Phang all fell relatively early, before Hodges did his best to turn the game on its head with a fine unbeaten 61.

Although Harefield conceded 32 extras, they had more than enough in reserve, and now look forward to entertaining a Watford Town side, who got the start they wanted to this year's competition with a convincing seven-wicket win over Old Centralians at Woodside.

Town were always in control once the lively Asad Munir had struck twice in the first four balls of the match to leave the visitors reeling at 0-2, giving the home side a dream start.

Munir, in tandem with the promising Taheer Afridi, had restricted OCAs to just 30 runs after eight overs, until Russell Edwards (38 not out) and Phil Samuels (34 not out) finally broke the shackles with a fine stand that helped their side claw up to 106.

Their partnership at least gave their bowlers something to defend but Greg Kilroy and Tom Kelly ensured there was to be no upset as they compiled 68 brisk runs for the first wicket before Kelly was out for a streaky 29.

Kilroy, whose polished 37 featured a sweet six over deep backward square, followed soon after to the bowling of Samuels (3-13), who also picked up the wicket of Mo Manzoor, but Town crossed the finishing line at a canter thanks to a cameo from Himanshu Jadhav (23 not out) and Munir, who saw his side home in emphatic fashion with a fiercely struck straight six that landed in the car park.

In the third game played last Thursday, in-form Northwood ended Chipperfield's hopes by six wickets.

Batting first, Chipperfield set off at a blistering pace and had put 46 on the board after just four overs, largely on the back of Herrick's 31 in 20 balls. However, he was finally snared by Anthony Pritchard, and when Raj Latchman reduced Chipps to 62-2, a mini-collapse ensued. Latchman was the architect, taking three further scalps – including a double-wicket maiden – as Chipps closed on 100-7 when a total in excess of 130 had looked on the cards.

Northwood's reply was not halted by the loss of an early wicket, as Nigel Hussey (28) and Ben Knowles (40) took them to the brink, before victory was sealed in the 12th over.

Chorleywood became the fifth team to reach the last eight on Tuesday night when they comfortably overcame Chiltern by 51 runs.

Having won the toss and elected to field, it looked like Chiltern's decision had backfired when Ciaron Bone (21) and Paul Downing (26) put on 43 for the first wicket. Top-scorer Jeff O'Dwyer (40) then came to the crease to lift the score up to 63-3.

However, O'Dwyer was to become the first of Billy Battams' (4-26) four victims, and his introduction to the attack prevented Chorleywood from getting above their run-a-ball final score of 112-6.

Chiltern got off to the worst possible start when Robins was run out by Downing without a run being scored. However, Pollard (12) and Fatapudi (6) put on 24 for the next wicket, and then Battams (7) helped move the score along to 45-3.

But that was as good as got for Chiltern as the Chorleywood bowlers took centre stage, picking up the last seven wickets for just 16 runs.

The pick was Jonathan Rice, who claimed a superb 4-7 in three overs, while Dean Wedlake cleaned up the tail enders with 2-2 in one over.

Following this week's Trophy matches, the identity of six of the eight teams who will contest the inaugural Plate competition is now known.

Met Police Bushey, Aldenham, Bricket Wood and Frogmore qualify as First Round losers, and they will be joined by Chiltern and Old Centralians, who lost in the Second Round after receiving Round One byes.

The draw for the Plate will be made on Monday (June 16) morning, and will immediately be posted on The Watford Observer's website www.watfordobserver.co.uk. Each team involved will also be notified of the outcome by phone. The Semi-Finals are likely to take place in the week beginning Monday, June 30, and the Final will take place at Watford Town on Thursday, July 10.