Division Seven Redbourn II 282-5 (40.4) Northwood Town II 105-10 (27.1) REDBOURN II continued their impressive recent form making it four wins in a row and rising to fifth in Division Seven with a thumping victory at home to Northwood Town IIs.

Division Seven

Redbourn II 282-5 (40.4) Northwood Town II 105-10 (27.1)

REDBOURN II continued their impressive recent form making it four wins in a row and rising to fifth in Division Seven with a thumping victory at home to Northwood Town IIs.

Groundsman Geoff Bartlett has prepared an outstanding wicket this season and skipper Mauder chose to bat first.

Northwood made an early breakthrough when opener Matt Cramer turned a half volley into a yorker and was bowled.

Redbourn recovered thanks to a 139 run second wicket partnership between Richard Blair, returning from a long term back injury, and Jimmy Spiers.

The talented Spiers fell for 59 quickly followed by Mauder trying for a third boundary in one over. With support from Chris Godfrey (32), Blair completed his century then accelerated to finish on 155 off 115 balls. Redbourn declared on a massive 282-5 off just 40.4 overs.

In reply, Mauder set a moderately attacking field to begin the attempt to bowl Northwood out with 59 overs to play.

Good bowling from Cridland and Fiaz Ahmed put Northwood out of contention for victory. Ahmed continued his aggressive short pitch bowling with a full range of slips and close catchers but it was the yorker that paid dividends removing a Northwood opener. The dangerous Ahmed (5 for 37) took out the Northwood top five, helped by two outstanding close catches by the athletic Mauder.

Only Siddarth (27) and Cotton (31) showed any resistance but at the other end leg spinner Godfrey took three wickets, the last thanks to a lightening stumping by Geoff Bartlett. Northwood were all out for 105 off 27.1, giving Redbourn a comprehensive winning margin of 177 runs with 32 overs to spare.

In Division 13, Redbourn III failed to win for the first time this season at home to Waltham X Rosedale IV on Saturday.

Redbourn batted first and were reduced to 20 for 3 before a partnership from Andy Green (51) and Rak Bajpai (24) rescued the innings. George Naismith then hit 14 to push the final score up to 123 all out off 44 overs.

RCC had a shortage of bowlers so relied on the fitness of Jim Lee to keep one end going. At 72 for 6, RCC were hopeful for a win but, despite 7 for 23 from Lee and a wicket for Connor Mulholland, the lower order batted well for the visitors to secure the draw on 112 for 8 off 46 overs.