SEEMINGLY doomed Watford Town must hope for a miracle after yet another sub-standard display with the bat saw them crash to a nine-wicket defeat at Harpenden on Saturday, August 17, who are in the thick of the race at the opposite end of the table.

Although the home side had six first-team regulars missing, it didn't adversely affect their performance, and in particular that of bowler Chris Arnold, who picked up near match-winning figures of 6-25 from his 17 overs.

Arnold removed the top three Town batsmen for low scores, before two small partnerships both involving Gulfraz Riaz, who finished unbeaten on 59 helped lift the total up to 78-5.

Watford desperately needed their tail to find their scoring form, but they had no answer to the bowling of Steve Ball (2-29) and Arnold, who ripped through the lower order with ease to dismiss Town for 124.

In reply, Sohail Bashir managed to remove Doherty (17), but Gilson (50 not out) and Dukin (49 not out) then compiled a century stand to see Harpenden home to an easy victory; a result that leaves them currently filling the third of the three promotion places.

August 23, 2002 12:00