Kings Langley are two wins away from a successful defence of their Watford Observer Fourteen14 Shield title after securing a 26-run line-up over Chipperfield Clarendon to complete the semi-final line-up.

The holders made 151-6 from their 14, eight-ball overs and then restricted their opponents to 125-8 to set up a last-four clash with Langleybury at Abbots Langley’s ground this Thursday.

That game will be played two days after the first semi-final when Radlett will face Abbots at Kings’ ground, with a place in the final at Chipperfield Clarendon on Thursday, July 12 at stake.

Kings’ total was built primarily on the efforts of their top three, particularly opener Harry Sambrook, who made 52.

In unison with Simon Walker (29), the openers put on 64 for the first wicket, and then Sambrook added 48 for the next wicket with David Burnell.

Langley were to lose three further wickets as they sought to push on in the latter stages of their innings but Burnell was to remain undefeated on 28.

Although Scott Norwood and Tom Bambury put on 24 for the first Chipperfield wicket in reply, Andrew Burnell then blitzed through the top and middle order as he claimed four for 16 from his three-over spell.

Bambury was top score with 37, and Chris May added 29 at number six, but their opponents were to remain decisively in command as they advanced through to the last four.

The Plate competition also got under way this week and Watford Grammar School for Boys produced an upset by beating Leverstock Green A by 39 runs in their quarter-final.

Luke Samarasinghe, who has been an instrumental figure in the school side winning the title three times in the last six years, was in impressive form as he made an unbeaten 79 to help Grammar post 150-1 from their 14 overs.

O’Gorman then claimed an impressive 4-25 as Green were restricted to 111-8 in reply.

Watford will now face the winners of Bushey’s clash with Rickmansworth School Staff at West Herts on Monday, June 25.

The second last-four clash is due to take place at Chipperfield Clarendon two days later between Watford Town B or Northchurch and Leverstock Green B or Watford Town A.

Abbots will also host the Plate final on Wednesday, July 4.