Watford Grammar School for Boys booked their place in the Watford Observer Plate final after securing a 17-run victory against Aldenham.

A rare day of dry weather meant the rescheduled fixture was finally played and after winning the toss Watford decided to bat on their home wicket.

They made a solid, if not spectacular start, to their innings as tight Aldenham bowling restricted runs.

The first moment of drama arrived in the fifth over as Scott John (five) was deemed to have been run out after a fine throw from Karan Barot.

Although the Watford batsman disagreed with the decision, he made the walk back to the side-lines with the score on 27 for one.

Tom Brall in at number three then added a quick-fire 27 before he was caught by Barot off the bowling of Michael Ward.

The spinner then claimed George Bensted for a duck and things seemed in control for Aldenham with Watford on 70 for three after ten overs.

However, a loose over from Chris Hewett saw 23 runs conceded before Ward (three for 33) returned to the attack to dismiss Ross Panter (19).

What proved to be a turning point in the match followed as Barot was handed the ball for the 13th over.

He couldn’t find his line and a string of wide deliveries – which cost four runs a ball – saw Watford jump from 108 to 141 with one over remaining.

Charlie Munroe took charge of the final deliveries but he was unable to dislodge the impressive James Dyson (40 not out) and John Shafe (12) as Watford ended on 152 for four.

Aldenham gifted a total of 39 extras which would go on to prove costly.

Their reply got off to a shaky start as Itty Haque (four) was caught off the bowling of Bill Gage in the opening over.

Watford continued to bowl well and they claimed their second wicket as opener Tannious Watfa was caught for four.

Aldenham began to settle and Barot performed well with the bat as he hit 22 before being caught by John.

Chris Munroe soon followed and after nine overs Aldenham had a lot to do with the score on 78 for five.

Their hopes were further dented as Sam Moore then showed excellent variation with the ball to see only one run scored off the next eight deliveries.

Hewett’s knock of 26 gave Aldenham a chance of claiming victory but with 25 needed off the final over it seemed unlikely.

Knowing they would lose wickets, Aldenham went looking for runs. Richard Kirby was run out for five before Sen Bala’s (21) explosive performance ended in the same fate.

Rikaz Nawaz (one) was dismissed in the next ball and Watford skittled their opponents for 135.

Gage ended with figures of three for 34 while Moore claimed two for 28.

Watford will now look forward to the final where they will take on Watford Town B.