ALTHOUGH both sides have had vastly contrasting campaigns, Harpenden second XI Cricket Club and Sandridge Cricket Club squared up for the local derby with their season hanging in the balance.

Victory for Harpenden looks to have secured their place in Division Three next season while Sandridge are staring down the barrel of a gun with relegation and Division Five now looking likely next year. Victories for Luton Town second XI and Chorleywood second XI increased the agony for Sandridge who were the only team in the bottom four not to win on Saturday.

Although Sandridge won the toss and opted to bat on a flat pitch, they never got to grips with Harpenden's bowling attack as veteran seamer Rupert Garrett struck early to remove Clowes, although Adam Kerry did offer some resistance with 21.

From 55-3, the middle order crumbled to 56-7 in the space of four overs and the situation for Sandridge looked precarious.

However, a vital 44 from John Murphy his highest score of the season saw Sandridge scramble to 127 with Garrett taking 4-28, Rushton Scranage 3-24 and Peter Makower 2-19 although four dropped catches in the field made life harder than it should have been.

In reply Guy Denham and Mark Fordham got Harpenden off to a brisk start but when Murphy dismissed Denham in the 12th over, with Corran and Exton also claiming a wicket, Sandridge looked back in the game at 68-3.

However, a fine 34 not out from Deshan Karunaratne saw Harpenden home with six wickets and 14 overs to spare and in the championship driving seat although another derby on Saturday against St Albans second XI should provide Harp with a more than interesting test.

August 22, 2002 17:00