CHORLEYWOOD second XI were left frustrated in their attempts to collect their second Division Four win of the season by a negative West Herts second XI side on Saturday, June 15.

Chorleywood won the toss and elected to bat, but were soon in trouble at 17-3 from ten overs after Paul Eversfield (2-35) and Mike Woosley (2-42) had both struck early in their spells.

A fine fourth-wicket partnership of 139 between Doug Newton (61) and Mark Downing (74) put Chorleywood in pole position, and set them up for an onslaught in the final ten overs that saw 51 runs added for the loss of three wickets, which fell to the bowling of Al Nichols.

Faced with a challenging run chase, West Herts made slow progress as they failed to break free from the two Chorleywood spinners, and reached just 37 off 17 overs.

Left with 189 to score from just 30 overs, the fall of the first wicket in the next over with the score at 43 (Kie Farrell for 30), followed by two quick wickets, saw West Herts abandon their run-chase as the match faded out to a painful and disappointing draw.

Much to Chorleywood's annoyance, West Herts skipper Adam Taylor, supported by 22 from Mike Richards, batted out the remaining overs for an unbeaten 42, as his side struggled to 121-5 at the close.

Clarendon suffered a setback in their attempts to move into the top five after a collective poor performance saw them beaten by six wickets at home to Clifton.

Asked to bat first, Clarendon, minus Gary Wise, began their innings in purposeful, but patient, fashion as Tim Caldicott (55) and Jon Hillman put on 33 for the first wicket in 21 overs.

After the departure of Hillman for 18, Brammer joined Caldicott at the crease, and the pair took the score to 78 before Brammer was disastrously run out for 17.

It was all down hill from then on as Clarendon capitulated to 103 all out in the 52nd over.

Two early wickets from Rory Howarth gave Clarendon a glimmer of hope, but a century second-wicket stand took the game away from the Berkhamstead-based side as they tumbled to only their second defeat of the season.

June 21, 2002 11:30