Division Three Cavendish 210-10 (45.4) Wheathampstead 159-10 (53.0) WHEATHAMPSTEAD put in another disappointing performance after hosts Cavendish batted solidly for 210-10. In reply, Cavendish decided to take the old ball and the opening spin attack

Division Three

Cavendish 210-10 (45.4) Wheathampstead 159-10 (53.0)

WHEATHAMPSTEAD put in another disappointing performance after hosts Cavendish batted solidly for 210-10.

In reply, Cavendish decided to take the old ball and the opening spin attack removed three batsmen for one run before Chris Bates 24 and Mark Smith 34 rebuilt the innings. Skipper Steve Booth (38) and Nick Martin (14 not out) batted well for a 60-run partnership to bring a degree of respectability to the Wheato score.

Jilani Ghulum (18) batted with spirit and cheered the crowd with a huge six before falling lbw as Wheato succumbed to 159 all out.

So near yet so far was the how the events unfurled at Nomansland after Wheathampstead II not surprisingly opted to bowl on a wet wicket.

Visitors Sawbridgeworth III batted cautiously, with number three Elkins scoring 37 as wickets tumbled around him. At 90-8 Wheato were in control until Parish at number nine hit a creditable 37 to lift the score to 160-9 at the close.

In favourable conditions the bowling was good, with Ben Griffiths returning figures of 20-4-60-4. Jimmy McEwan and Nick Phillips each claimed two wickets at less than three runs an over.

The extra runs conceded proved the undoing of Wheato batting second. At 61-4, Wheato were still well placed but when Peter Bush was bowled for 24, nerves started to jangle. David Dabare led the recovery with a finely timed 40, only to see Ben Griffiths unluckily given out lbw off the thickest inside edge. Wheato succumbed to 141 all out for a disappointing five point haul in Division Eight.

Wheathampstead travelled to Met Police Bushey on Sunday for their Becker Cup Second round match, looking for a place in the quarter finals.

Dabare picked up four wickets in his 10-over spell for Wheato and with Steve Booth and Chris Martin each bagging a brace, Met Police were reduced to 116-8 off 41 overs.

Robbins and Martin then returned to finish their 10-over allowances, with Robbins picking up the final two wickets. Met Police were all out on 145 off 49.3.

Wheato took to the crease after tea feeling confident they could chase down their opponents. Soon they were reeling at 5-3 before Martin and Booth put on 35 runs. Skipper Robbins entered the fray knowing his wicket was a crucial one but could only look on as three more wickets fell for just nine runs.

Robbins finally fell in the 40th over for a battling 32 and, despite number 10 Bates hitting 16, WCC were all out for 95. After the game, wicket keeper Mark Smith said: "It's disappointing to lose a game like this but we can't bat like we did and expect to get results. I'll be working on a few shots in the nets this week and I can assure you that the cow corner slog will not be amongst them.