This week’s cricket round-up

Hemel Town

Hemel Town I picked up their first win at Letchworth since 2009 to move into third place in the HCPL Division Two East.

Batting first, wicket keeper Kashif Dalvi (79 n/o) was the leading scorer for Hemel as they reached 205-6.

Path Metha (3-41) and Brett Penny (2-21) then helped Hemel get the job done with 16 balls to spare.

Hemel’s second XI, meanwhile, held out for a draw after Cockfosters I finished their innings on 182-7.

Bryan Davies (4-80) was the star man with the ball, ably assisted by a couple of late wickets from Billy May (2-40).

In reply, Hemel never really got going with the bat, and had to settle for the draw. Blesson Ghoghe (34) was the top scorer, while May chipped in with 28.

Elsewhere, a much weakened Hemel IV side slipped to seventh in Division 8 after a drubbing by Letchworth IV.

Hemel were skittled out for just 95, with skipper Steve Smith top scoring on 23.

Letchworth then saw the runs off in 29 overs, despite a good bowling spell from Alex Ringrose (2-5).

Kings Langley

Kings Langley I sealed a seven-wicket win over County Hall after dismissing their opponents for 87 in 33.3 overs.

Mark Brazier took 4-34, Ben Joyce 3-18, Andrew Burnell 2-29 and Christian James 1-2.

Kings lost both openers cheaply but Paul Ashford (50 n/o) steered them home with the support of Tom Sambrook (23) and Varman Ratnakuran (13 n/o).

Kings Langley II, meanwhile, slipped to a 34-run defeat at the hands of Knebworth Park III.

Kings had earlier dismissed their opponents for 173 with Duane Smith (4-29), Phil Robinson (4-80) and Richard Whitlock (2-42) doing the damage.

At 102-5, Kings were in a strong position but lost their last five wickets for 37 and were all out for 139 in the 45th over. Tim Piper top scored for Kings with 43.

Elsewhere, Kings Langley III battled to a modest 134 all out off 43 overs on a difficult pitch, with Tony Morton scoring 52 and Sajid Mahmood adding 29. This proved too many for their opponents as they were all out for 83 in the 32nd over. Gordon Sambidge took 6-26.

Kings Langley IV started their league campaign with a 54-run win over Frogmore II.

Kings scored 156-8 off 47 overs, with Dave Barton scoring 48 and Tony Thompson adding 38.

Two of the club’s younger players then proved their potential with Harry Misslebrook taking 3-12 and Toby Hendy taking 3-26 as Frogmore were bowled out for 102 in the 42nd over.

Berkhamsted

Berkhamsted II ran out comfortable winners over Hatch End to make it three wins out of three so far this season.

Bowling first, Berko put in a disciplined display, and restricted their visitors to 147 all out.

In reply, Gareth Preedy and Nick Williams got Berko off to a flyer, and the side never looked back as they strolled to victory with 15 overs left to play.

In other action, Berkhamsted III clinched victory over Old Albanians III with 3.4 overs to spare.

Batting first, Andre Machon top scored for Berko with 38 as the visitors reached 146-6 from their 47 overs.

With a relatively modest total to defend, Ian Campbell (5-25) set about demolishing the OAs line-up, before youngster Jamie Slater picked up the final wicket to seal victory.

Elsewhere, stand-in skipper Gareth Preedy smashed a maiden century for the Berkhamsted Sunday side as they recorded a solid victory over St Albans.

Bowling first, Berko restricted St Albans to 177-9, with Derek Pratt snaring three wickets.

In reply, it was the Preedy show for Berkhamsted and, after an excellent innings, the 19-year-old hit a big six to win the game and finish on 102 not out.

Abbots Langley

Abbots Langley I swept to an emphatic 10-wicket win against Letchworth Garden City II.

Two early wickets for Steve Wallis put Abbots in control, before a devastating spell of 4-14 from Barry Warner saw Letchworth collapse to 149 all out.

In reply, Chris Chellew (89 n/o) and Jack Read (64 n/o) got the job done with the minimum of fuss to see Abbots home without loss.

Elsewhere, a young Abbots Langley Sunday XI suffered a defeat at the hands of Gaities.

Batting first, Pete Metcalfe (47) and Craig Smith (55) were the pick of the Abbots batsmen.

Gaities had a strong batting line-up, though, and hit big in reply to secure the win with five overs to spare.

In cup action, Abbots Langley’s young side got through a tough game against Northchurch in the Heath Park Cup.

After the Northchurch middle order had smashed 100 of 12 overs, Chris Chellew blasted the remaining batsmen with a fiery 5-14 spell meaning that Abbots had to chase a 133.

In reply, 17-year-old Peter Metcalfe opened the innings and nudged 61 not out, with Jon Battams hitting 35 off 18 balls. Barry Warner then saw Abbots home with 2 over remaining.

Redbourn

The Redbourn first team had a day to forget as they were skittled out for just 39 against Old Albanians.

Bowling first, Jon Fleming (4-36) and Ben Roe (3-20) helped to restrict OAs to 148 all out, but Redbourn choked in reply.

A collection of poor shots, two bad run outs and possibly a good ball or two saw the team bowled out for less than 40, with only two batsmen making low double-figure scores.

Redbourn II, though, put in a much improved performance, but came up just short of victory against Wheathampstead II.

Batting first, Chris Fleming was the star man for Redbourn and went onto make a superb 125 as the hosts finished on 228-6 off their 53 overs.

In response, Josh Arnold, Greg Clark and Dan Thatcher took two wickets apiece.

But despite a good effort Redbourn could not take the 10th and final wicket that would have given them a deserved victory.

Redbourn III, meanwhile, picked up a comfortable win over Hatfield & Crusaders V.

U14 player Adam Pritchard (4-43) bowled excellently as the Hatfield innings came to an end in the 47th over at 141-8.

In reply, a third-wicket partnership of 92 between in-form Martin Benfield (62) and Richie Cann (38) put Redbourn on their way, before U14 Tom Copp (11 n/o) helped knock off the remaining runs to secure the win.

Elsewhere, Redbourn IV skittled Hatfield Hyde III out for 93 in a comfortable win.

Put into bat, Redbourn’s openers John Pritchard (71) and Jack Blair put on 50 for the first wicket before Rak Bajpai (35 n/o) helped to take the score past 150.

Hatfield Hyde’s reply never really got going and Charlie Moffatt and Eric Fulham effectively ended the game with a quick-fire five-wicket spell. Jim Lee tore in to mop up the tail with the new ball.

Chipperfield Clarendon

Chipperfield Clarendon III followed up their victory last week with a convincing 68-run win over visitors Potters Bar IV.

Batting first, an opening partnership of 116 saw Warren Gregory (69) score his second consecutive league half-century and he and Nick Wood (63) led the side to a total of 211-5 in 45 overs.

Defending the total, U13 debutante Janak Patel bowled a very tidy spell of 4-25 as the visitors were bowled out in 31.3 overs.

Tring Park

Tring Park have been knocked out of the Heath Park Cup by Ivinghoe and Pitstone.

Batting first, Ivinghoe and Pitstone were 60-2 at the half-way stage, before taking their total to 120-9.

In reply, Toby Wastling and Greg Proudfoot got them off to a solid start.

From 44-2 after six overs, the innings fell away in fading light. Robert Gregory was run out chasing a desperate second run to give Ivinghoe and Pitstone victory by 12 runs.

Boxmoor

The Boxmoor Saturday first XI suffered a narrow defeat against a strong Flitwick team and will be searching for their first win of the season at the weekend as they host Totteridge Millhillians III at home.

Elsewhere, Boxmoor II played out a frustrating draw against Parkfield & Headstone II and will travel to Hoddesdon III on Saturday hoping to continue their unbeaten start to the season.

Boxmoor III, meanwhile, won a scintillating game against Welwyn Garden City V by two wickets. This week, they look to continue their push for promotion as they take on Hatfield Hyde III at Hemel Hempstead School.