Bushey Seconds got their season underway with a 108-run trouncing of Ware

Bushey Seconds got their season underway with a 108-run trouncing of Ware; Anil Kumar claiming four wickets for just 17 runs.

Inserted, Bushey set the tone with 65 from Sagheer Ahmed and a further 72 from Chanaka Gunawardena at number three.
Contributions from that point were minimal, though the home side were still able to put up an imposing 243 all out.

Kumar (four for 17) and Arshad Zarin (three for 15) then ripped through the Ware line-up, removing their visitors for 135. 

Division Eight A

Langleybury Thirds were just edged out by Great Gaddesden, who got home with two wickets to spare.
Removed for 132, visitors Bury were almost able to bowl out their hosts but Gaddesden snuck to victory by reaching 135 for eight in 44 overs.

Northwood Town Seconds came up 68 runs short at St Albans Thirds after failing to go for the kill when they had their hosts reeling.

Having lost the toss Northwood took to the field and had St Albans in big trouble at 86 for six at one stage before a good recovery partnership steadied the ship to 120 for seven, though. 

Some tremendous hitting from Ricard O’Toole (88), ably supported by some fine strokes from Steve Hiscock (21), saw the game move swiftly away from Northwood as the home side posted 229 for nine. 
To add to Town’s woes, Kunal Patel was hospitalised with a dislocated thumb attempting a catch.

After tea Town were reinvigorated and set about chasing down the target in solid fashion. Unfortunately, a similar tale unfolded with wickets steadily falling from disappointing shot selection, although there was an excellent 48 from Sandip Thakrar. 

A spirited resistance from Kotecha (20) and Sumeet Khetia (47) saw Town at least put some sizeable dents into the target, but it proved too much as they fell to 160 all out.

Division Eight B

Hemel Hempstead Fourths suffered a disastrous 180-run defeat at Dunstable Thirds thanks to a pitiful batting display.

Despite Vinnie Liddar’s three for 35, hosts Dunstable were still able to put on a strong total of 257 for eight, with J. McDiarmid (77) ably assisted by Adam Lewis (48) and Jason Strong (44). 

And Hemel’s tame reply was brought to an abrupt end after just 25 overs, Barney Stalin (29) top scoring in a miserable 77 all out.

Division Nine A
Kings Langley Thirds continued their troubled start to the season as they fell to an emphatic six-wicket defeat away at Harpenden Dolphins.

Having struggled to 25 for one off 17 overs, the Kings wickets started to tumble and they were all out for a measly 57. Tom Templeton top-scored for the visitors with 18. 

In reply, the home side made a shaky start after losing three early wickets whilst still in single figures. However, 26 from Billy Giovanni and a patient 11 not out from Duncan Lewis were enough to get the home side over the winning line in the 26th over. 

Josh Lloyd (two for 11) and Gordon Sambidge (one for nine) were the pick of the Kings bowlers.

Division Ten A

A staggering top-order collapse condemned Chorleywood Thirds to a 48-run defeat at home to Mill Hill Village Seconds. 

After choosing to bowl first Wood produced a strong team performance to dismiss Mill Hill for just 132. 
Steve Dunning and Mark Fletcher picked up three wickets each, whilst Nigel Tyler (two for 18) produced another miserly spell.

However, that all changed in the early overs of their reply as Mill Hill had Wood reeling at ten for five. 
Despite a mini-recovery from Wood’s lower-order it was too stiff a task to get back into the game, with only three batsmen reaching double figures, and they were dismissed for just 84.

Rickmansworth Thirds could count themselves lucky after edging out West Herts Thirds to claim a narrow six-run win.

Hosts Ricky struggled on their way to posting 122 for eight in a very slow 50 overs; Jeremy Riddleston the top scorer with 33. 

However, the bowlers stuck to their guns and with Phil Riddleston taking four wickets, West Herts ended up just six runs short of their victory target, with the final pair running themselves out to gift Ricky an unexpected victory.

Division Ten B

Watford Town Thirds cruised to their second straight win with a comfortable 160-run victory against Preston Thirds. 

Batting first they made use of a flat track and scored quickly and heavily. An opening stand of 127 from Zeeshan Ali (70) and Sandeep Shinagara (50) set Town up for an overall score of 295; Si Sampat (54) and Chris Hutchison (37 not out) also contributed. 

Preston’s run chase never really got going and they lost wickets at regular intervals. Andy Canning (three for 33) was the pick of the Town bowlers.