Hemel slip to second league loss at Flitwick

Putting Flitwick into bat they ran into the skipper George Thurstance who proceeded to hit 113 runs from 85 balls having opened the batting. The only other double figure scorer for Flitwick was Nadeera Nawela who made 63 unbeaten from 100 balls.

Glenn Wood managed the best return for Hemel’s bowling with 4-51 from his 10 overs. Skipper for the day Jack Doodson returned 2-36.

A good start was needed and Hem Ilangaratne (53) and Tom Elborn (49) obliged with 72 put on in the first 20 overs. Unfortunately with the dismissal of Tom the innings fell away and nobody else managed double figures apart from Nicjk Hodgins with 11. Hemel were out in the 40th over with the score at 145.

It was a crushing 82 run victory for Bushey at Heath Park against Hemel Town II. Bushey batted first and maintained a high scoring tempo thoughout with 71 off the first 10 overs, 110 from the first 20 and 170 from the first 30.

Hemel’s bowlers struggled to hold the rate which ended at over five and a half an over for their full 50 overs, Bushey reaching 285-7. Dave Jenkins returned 3-32 from his 10 overs.

Then Shahid Ashraf blew away the Hemel top order, taking three wickets in his first three overs, to leave Hemel tottering at 22-3 from their first five overs.

Dave Jenkins chipped in with 64 batting at six, Lewis Hodgins scored 31 at the top but the rest were blown away. At least the 209 score rescued a Division 2B few batting points.

Hemel III were brought back to reality with a heavy defeat to Harpenden III in Division 4B.

It all started well with a good bowling performance bowling Harpo III out for just 164 in 43 overs on what recently has been an high scoring wicket. There were figures of 3-27 for skipper Anjam Khan and a couple of wickets each for Adam Moulster (2-16), A Bradley (2-13) and Gus Scott-Morriss (2-52).

But Hemel III were then skittled out for just 55 runs in 27 overs. Only two batsmen made double figure scores as Alex Baker turned in 5-9 and Rohan Pancherratnan 3-7.

In Division 8B an under strength and man short Hemel IV were rolled over by Letchworth GC IV for under 100 in no time at all.

Put in by Letchworth only Phil Smith with 44 was able to post a score of any note, 20 from skipper Tony Linfoot and 10 from Mike Samuels the only other double figure scores in a 94 total.

LGC IV then took just over 20 overs to tap off the necessary runs, Tony Linfoot with 3-30 the only wicket taker for Hemel.

On Sunday Hemel faced a tough challenge as they took a young and experienced side to Stanmore in the ECB club championship Second Round.

Stanmore had trounced Hemel’s previous conquerers last year in the first round. As it is, although they lost, Hemel didn’t do too badly. Stanmore won the toss and batted and whilst scoring steadily did not race away, scoring just over six an over. Third XI skipper Anjam Khan produced the best Hemel return with 4-52.

Batting in return would always be the key and there the difference showed as only ex-1st XI skipper Hemish Ilangaratne was able to show any prowess with a solid knock of 82 at the top of the innings. Dave Jenkins managed to keep his end going with an unbeaten 28 in the middle but nobody was able to lead a chase and Hemel lost by 108 runs.