THE prospect of relegation became a distinct possibility for Langleybury on Saturday, August 17, when, having racked up their largest total of the season, they lacked the fire-power to seal a priceless 25 points at home to Welwyn Garden City, and subsequently slipped further into the relegation mire.

"We just didn't have the tools to put pressure on them," commented captain Nigel Ilott on his side's failure to dismiss a Welwyn side set an improbable 265 for victory that leaves his Hunton Bridge outfit second from bottom and seven points adrift of safety.

Langleybury have solely relied on the contributions of Stephen Lowe and llott this season, and they once again delivered the goods.

Opting to bat first on a gem of a pitch, Ilott, joined in a opening half-century stand with Asad Khan whose 38 was by some way his biggest score of the season, cracked his first league hundred for the club since his switch from Watford Town, and the 48th century of his distinguished career.

The compact and technically gifted right-hander scored a chanceless 111 before he played on, attempting to run the ball down to third man, and shared in a 170-run liaison with Stephen Lowe.

Lowe's majestic knock of 69, which increased his runs tally to 507 for the season, prompted lavish praise from his captain.

"He is a magnificent player," enthused Ilott of the 20-year-old Hertfordshire wicket-keeper batsman.

"In terms of natural ability, he is arguably the best cricketer ever to play in the league."

The pair's sizeable contribution helped Bury claim an extra batting point and virtually reduce the outcome of the match to two possible scenarios.

If Bury had any aspirations of engineering a result, they needed to take early wickets. To their cost they didn't, and Welwyn, benefiting from a close field, raced away to a healthy start.

The Welwyn reply was built around an excellent 85 from opener Ben Tamblyn, but once the Australian passed his half-century he bizarrely lost his way and subsequently so did the run chase.

Ilott turned to Herts' paceman Paul O'Reilly to find the breakthrough without success, and then Fida Shah was introduced in an attempt to buy wickets.

He picked up two wickets for his efforts, as did leading wicket-taker Richard Jerome from an unchanged spell of 20 overs to help Bury collect a 12-point haul, but Welwyn never really looked in any danger, and closed on 206-5.

"We have to win three games to stand a chance, and I would suggest that our run-in is as hard a run in as you could ask for," said Ilott of his side's survival, whose hopes will hinge upon a must-win match with Bishop's Stortford, plus matches against four of the top five.

August 23, 2002 12:00