The Villagers' second team are now marching onto almost-certain promotion, needing only 18 points from their three remaining games.

On winning the toss the opposition, Old Elizabethans II, who are just below Shenley at fourth in the league, decided to bat and make the Villagers toil in the midday heat.

But that decision soon back-fired, as Wood came in to bowl the first ball of the match and promptly removed the left handed opener, taking his leg stump out of the ground.

It was not until the score had reached 63 that the next wicket fell, as Putman clean-bowled Gowers for 27.

Wood was replaced by skipper Munting, and within a few balls he had the opposition captain Smith trapped lbw for 22.

Things suddenly became better when another wicket fell on 74, again taken by Putman. Soon the Villagers were celebrating two wickets when the score had reached 88, as Putman bowled Bennister for four and Munting removed Rajah, caught by Barfield at point for 12.

Munting brought on Parimal Mehta to bowl his spin as Putman removed the number eight, bowling him for eight and taking his fourth wicket in the process, ending with excellent bowling figures of (11 3 35 4).

Wood was brought back to replace Parimal at the other end as the score had reached 151, and soon he had the hard-hitting Barne caught behind by Green for top-knock of 44.

Evans was brought back and took a wicket with his first ball, as Green took the catch behind. The innings was finally wrapped up on 158 when Wood had Holman caught by Evans in the covers in the 42nd over.

In reply, Stanley opened the batting with youngster Evans. But it was the young man who scorched the scoreboard as he hit a number of consecutive boundaries. He was on 18 before Stanley was off the mark, as he too hit a boundary to open his tally.

But when 38 runs had been posted the Villagers suffered a batting collapse of five wickets for just 11 runs in seven terrible overs. But Burkhardt and Munting consolidated and began to find the runs easier to come by.

When Burkhardt had amassed 47 he went for another big hit, and was exceptionally well caught in the deep by a superb running diving catch by Rahja.

The partnership was worth 90 valuable runs and, with 139 on the board with four wickets left, Parimal went to the crease and was soon back for two having been adjudged lbw, with the score on 156 and close to victory.

Next man out was Munting, also for 47, who was removed caught at second slip with the score on 157.

Putman, now at the crease with Wood, was careful not to lose the game as he guided a single to draw the scores level.

With the first ball of the 53rd over, Putman hit the winning runs with a stylish four past long off and immediately celebrated the splendid two-wicket victory over their near rivals.

Next week the team play away to King's Langley IIIs.

SHENLEY: Stanley, Evans, Stubbs, Green, Barfield, Burkhardt, Munting, Parimal, Putman, Wood, Elliott.

Shenley Village II 162-8

Old Elizabethans II 158-10

Saracens Hertfordshire Cricket League Division Ten

August 21, 2002 14:30