Division Four Southgate Adelaide 251-9 (53.0) Redbourn 252-5 (46.0) REDBOURN secured their seventh win in 10 games with a fine run chase at Southgate Adelaide on Saturday. Skipper Dan Roe continued his remarkable run of losing every single toss

Division Four

Southgate Adelaide 251-9 (53.0) Redbourn 252-5 (46.0)

REDBOURN secured their seventh win in 10 games with a fine run chase at Southgate Adelaide on Saturday.

Skipper Dan Roe continued his remarkable run of losing every single toss this season. Adelaide decided to bat first on a decent track and a quick outfield, adding 113 for the first wicket.

The introduction of Darren Bassill (2 for 46) and Faisal Khan (3 for 56) pegged back the Adelaide batsmen and, at 135 for 5, Redbourn sensed a chance to bowl out their hosts for an under par score.

A mixture of wayward bowling, some really woeful fielding and spirited batting saw Adelaide reach 251 for 9 off their allotted overs. Jon Fleming's third spell had seen him pick up some late wickets, as he returned 4 for 65 off 16 overs.

In reply, a nervy start from openers Simon Osman and Chris Yorath gave no indication of what was to follow. Yorath got into his stride as he started to dominate the bowling, and with Osman giving useful support, the pair added 66 for the first wicket. Osman fell to a catch at deep gully for 24, but Ben Roe then joined Yorath, as they added another useful 46 runs. Yorath was enjoying the conditions but cramp was to bring his downfall as he was bowled for 77 off 60 balls which included 17 fours.

At 112 for 2, the match was still in the balance until the classy Geoff Tookey showed why he ended top of the division's batting averages last season. Ben Roe was also starting to fire on all cylinders and the pair added 58 runs in quick time, until an inauspicious shot from Roe saw him depart for a well made 32. Dan Roe carried on where his brother left off, hitting two fours and a six, in scoring 27 runs off 23 balls, before he was caught.

Tookey hit seven fours in a perfectly timed innings of 46 but Redbourn still required 22 runs to win off four overs. Some sensible and at times explosive batting from Nigel Wellsbury (8 not out) and Darren Bassill (13 not out) ensured that Redbourn reached their target with nine balls to spare giving Redbourn a sensational win on 252-5 off 46 overs.

With the side now sitting in second place in Division Four, skipper Dan Roe hailed the batting but had words of caution about the fielding display. He said: "After some poor displays I'm pleased that the side has got another win. We batted well today, and it was significant that we put together four partnerships in excess of 45 runs. Our Tuesday evening training session will need to centre on our fielding, which was shoddy to say the least. Hopefully, we can return to the previous standards set."

Redbourn host Ampthill Town II on Saturday as they look to continue their challenge for promotion in Division Four of the Herts League.