The weather ruined most of Saturday's Hertfordshire league programme, with three of Watford Town's five matches cancelled, or abandoned after only a few overs.
Hertfordshire Premier Cricket League Division 2B
The division's match-of-the-day, pitted Tewin against Watford Town, who were 2nd equal on the same points total, but a potentially exciting finish was ruined by the rain.
Watford's decision to field first looked a good one, as they took wickets at regular intervals, to bowl out Tewin for just 130, in 29 overs. None of Tewin's batters could pass the 25 mark, as Town's four seam bowlers shared the wickets. Imran Khan, in his first league game of the season, was the most successful, taking 4 for 43.
Town's reply got off to a very shaky start, with the previously in-form Syed Ali dismissed first ball, for the second successive Herts League match, and within three overs, the scoreboard read 3 for 3. Skipper Riahn Pieris and youngster Thrishul Muruganandh had begun the rebuilding process, and had taken the score on to 22 for 3, when the rains came and the match had to be abandoned.
Town travel next to unbeaten local rivals Langleybury, whose match on Saturday was also abandoned.
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Division 14 West
There was great frustration for Watford Town 5ths, who hosted Harpenden's 7th team and were almost assured of victory when the rain became too heavy for the match to continue.
The match was memorable, however, for Town's opener Abu Choudhury, who scored an unbeaten 165, in 101 balls, with 22 fours and 6 sixes. Choudhury, whose score of 216 last season was the highest by any player across the whole league, enjoyed a partnership of 196 with Shajee Naqvee, who contributed 46.
With several players retiring out, to speed things up to beat the rain, Harpenden were left with a target of 227 for victory. When the rain eventually forced the players from the field, and the captains agreed conditions were becoming unsafe, Harpenden had reached 46-6, but as Town had bowled only 16 overs, four short of the minimum required under league rules, the match was regarded as abandoned, with both teams taking 10 points.
Chess Valley Sunday League
The weather relented on Sunday to allow the Watford Town's 1st team to maintain their impressive form, at Harrow Town, securing victory by 39 runs.
After losing an early wicket, Gaurav Shinagare showed good form on his return from university, and was unfortunate to be run out for 25. But each of the following batters made strong contributions, notably Riahn Pieris, with 59, his fourth successive half-century.
Town were eventually bowled out for 205, in 42 overs, a score that felt slightly above par on a challenging surface.
In response, Harrow Town attempted an aggressive start, but the bowlers kept things tight until Jay Patel played an excellent innings of 77 in the middle order.
The match turned, however, when Riahn Pieris produced a match-winning spell, striking three times in three balls, all clean bowled, to claim his first hat-trick for the Town.
He finished with 5 for 25 and the visitors took maximum points after bowling out Harrow for 166, taking Watford Town to the top of the table at this very early stage.
