HCPCL Division Two (East) Harpenden 187-10 (58.4) Bishop s Stortford 188-8 (49.4) FOUR wickets from the impressive Mark Mason and a batting blast from Sulaman Qadir could not save Harpenden from defeat against Bishop s Stortford on Saturday.

HCPCL Division Two (East)

Harpenden 187-10 (58.4) Bishop's Stortford 188-8 (49.4)

FOUR wickets from the impressive Mark Mason and a batting blast from Sulaman Qadir could not save Harpenden from defeat against Bishop's Stortford on Saturday.

Hosts Harpenden won the toss and decided to bat first but young openers Will Bates (17) and Adam Winchester (5) were denied and, after captain Mike Howard (5) also fell, Harpenden soon crumbled to 57-5. The impressive Qadir batted on from number four and guided Harpenden past the 100 mark before he fell on 49. Young Ollie Tuck continued the good work as he posted 42 from number seven and Ben Mahoney hit 29 not out off 58 balls as Harpenden closed on 187 all out from 58.4 overs.

Bowler Mason struck out the top three Stortford batsman to give Harpenden a chance as he reduced the reply to 48-3.

Storford number four Querl stood up to the pressure and carried his bat for 66 before he fell to Qadir with the score recovered to 163-6. Luke Padgett then smashed 41 off 35 balls and Stortford went on to secure the win on 188-8 off 49.4 overs. Ben Mahoney picked up two wickets for Harpenden and Chris Roe and Qadir each claimed one victim while Mason finished with 4-34 from 12 overs.

l In Division Three of the Saracens Herts League, Harpenden II cruised to an emphatic win away against Dunstable II.

John Kerley (3-44) continued his excellent bowling as he claimed three of the top four batsmen, with two clean bowled, after Dunstable opted to bat first. Chris Arnold struck out 3-35 off 11.4 overs and Pete Makower picked up one wicket with Joe Peck taking two victims. Number eight Terry Carr smashed 49 off 34 balls, including seven fours, as he top scored but Dunstable were rolled over for 160.

The Harpenden top order were in no mood to hang around with the chase and took the score to 111 before Mick Brookes was dismissed by Carr for 46 off 47 balls. Opening partner Mark Fordham continued unperturbed and smashed 78 not out off 79 balls with 11 fours as Harpenden reached the target on 162-2 off 27.1 overs. Mark Fettes (11) fell to Carr before Simon Arnold (7 not out) joined Fordham to complete the job.

l Harpenden III were beaten by hosts Southgate Adelaide after a brutal batting blast in Division Four on Saturday.

Harpenden won the toss and openers David Gilson (32) and Michael Hughes (41) set a good platform. Number three Jake Pankhurst added 28 and number seven David Robinson top scored for Harpenden, crashing 55 off 40 balls with seven fours and two sixes as they posted 201 all out from 51.4 overs.

In reply, Adelaide started slowly before the run rate was upped by Craig Lyte (20) and Richard Ellwood (38 off 25 balls). David Robinson and Ian Booth each picked up two wickets and Neil Mackey took 1-24 off nine overs for Harps but Adelaide reached the target on 202-5 off 47.3 overs, making Harpenden pay for not batting out their over allocation.

l In Division Seven, Harpenden IV had the better of a draw with Southgate Adelaide II at St George's School.

Harpenden were asked to bat first and relished the conditions with openers Stuart Bashford (64) and Andy Lewis (67) taking the score to 133-1. Number three David Byrne (52 not out) also hit form and Mark Hoefield hit 28 as Harps declared on a formidable 249-6 off 50 overs.

In reply, Adelaide had to settle for a draw but still smashed their way to 235-4 off 50 overs with a stunning third-wicket partnership of 129 runs proving crucial. Jason Guest picked up 2-35 off eight overs for Harpenden and James Absalom and Michael Smith each took one wicket.