THE importance of a top-class overseas' player was underlined at The Common on Saturday, August 17, when Chorleywood's New Zealand import Luke Vivian did his best to disprove the theory that one man does not necessary make a side in a stunning six-wicket win over Hertford.

The arrival of the former New Zealand Under-19 skipper has coincided with two straight wins, hinting that Wood, who now sit just outside the drop zone, may yet climb out of a position that had looked irretrievable at one stage.

"If he performs then the rest of the side perform," said Wood's Nick Rice of the giant Kiwi. "If we rely on him too much we will come unstuck, but there is no doubt that he is going to be the key."

Rice's glowing assessment came after he watched the 23-year-old, who smashed 140 not out six days earlier, destroy the Hertford attack on his way to a scintillating 92 that helped Wood overhaul Hertford's' target of 207.

Built like Andrew Flintoff, the Kiwi matched the England all-rounder's fearsome power as he blazed his way to 92 off just 59 balls with an assortment of devastating blows that brought him seven sixes and nine fours before he presented a steepling catch to deep cover point, which was gleefully accepted.

By that time however, the damage had already been done. Vivian had added 116 for the second wicket with Stuart Thompson, who had batted in a more conservative, but equally important, manner at the other end, and finished unbeaten on a valuable 61.

The wicket-keeper batsman then shared in a third-wicket stand of 52 with Paul Downing, who added a useful 23 before he was run out attempting a third run.

Doug Newton perished for eight, but Alex Hodgkinson, together with Thompson, ensured Wood cantered home with nine overs to spare.

Earlier, Ned Nicol, standing in for the absent Sacha Hatteaa, would have wondered about his decision to field first as he looked to be staring down the barrel at a total close to 300 as Hertford raced to 96 without loss just before lunch.

The introduction of the slow bowlers proved the turning point as Nicol himself claimed three wickets before and after lunch taking his tally to 13 in his last two outings while Rice picked up one victim in an economical spell that saw him concede just 33 runs from 19 overs, as Hertford, from an earlier position of some strength, mustered just 207-7.

August 23, 2002 12:00