West Herts are through to their first Watford Observer Fourteen14 Shield semi-final for three years after ending Abbots Langley’s hopes of reaching a third consecutive final following a comprehensive nine-wicket victory last night.

Having restricted their opponents to 110-7 off their 14, eight-ball overs, the outcome was never in doubt once openers Will Jones and Tom McCormack had put on 91 for the first wicket.

Jones went on to finish unbeaten on 52 as the Stags secured a last-four clash against Northchurch, Kings Langley or Chipperfield Clarendon at Abbots’ ground on Tuesday, June 21.

Langley had put 20 runs on the board but once Tom Carson, 4, had become the first of Jones’ two wickets, they soon slumped to 31-4 as only Jack Read, 17, made it into double figures at the top of the order.

Sam Bailey, 11, and Jack Bishop, 19, also made double-figure contributions but the beaten finalists for the last two years never really recovered from those early setbacks and at 86-7 with two overs of the innings to go the Stags were firmly in control.

The eighth-wicket pairing of Aiden Byrne, 11 not out, and Matt Longworth, 10 not out, did however manage to get their side just shy of a run-a-ball final total.

Abbots needed early wickets if they were to retain hope od progressing but the Stags ticked along at a run-a-ball before upping the ante in the fifth over when Jones and McCormack scored 17 off eight deliveries.

West Herts were up to 70 without loss by the midway point of their reply and any hint of remaining doubt over the outcome was ended when Abbots conceded 21 off their next eight balls.

Although McCormack fell for 25 before the end, West Herts eased home with more than three overs to spare to continue their quest for a first Shield triumph since 2013.

The Stags’ opponents in the last four could be Northchurch after they defeated Watford Haidery by five wickets on Tuesday evening.

Oli Johnson, 3-38, and Tom Garraway, 3-35, were the key figures with the ball for Northchurch as they limited their opponents to 119-9 and then Garraway’s 56, coupled with Mark Hobley’s unbeaten 38, saw the victors get home with a ball to spare.

Northchurch will now meet the winners of tomorrow night’s one remaining second round tie between Kings Langley and Chipperfield Clarendon.

Revised quarter-final draw (seeds in bold): Northchurch v Kings Langley or Chipperfield Clarendon; Langleybury A v Radlett A; Leverstock Green A v Frogmore.

Semi-final draw: Northchurch or Kings Langley/Chipperfield Clarendon v West Herts (to be played at Abbots Langley on Tuesday, June 21); Langleybury A or Radlett A v Leverstock Green A or Frogmore (to be played at Watford Town on Thursday, June 23).