Saracens Herts League Division Three London Colney 214-8 (53) Ickleford 175-7 (47) LONDON Colney picked up their second draw of the season when they hosted Ickleford in Division Three on Saturday. After winning the toss and batting first

Saracens Herts League Division Three

London Colney 214-8 (53) Ickleford 175-7 (47)

LONDON Colney picked up their second draw of the season when they hosted Ickleford in Division Three on Saturday.

After winning the toss and batting first, Adam Buckmaster and Phil McLaughlin put on 40 for the first wicket. Scott Hadley (40) then joined Buckmaster as Colney charged to a dominant 160-2 with most of 20 overs remaining. Buckmaster eventually fell for a superb 89 and Colney then stumbled to 214-8 at the close.

Ickleford batted well in reply, particularly after tight opening spells from bowlers Uzman Zaman and Matt Irvine put them behind on the run rate. Colney skipper Matt Bristow opened things up with his off spin and two wickets in two balls completely changed the direction of the contest. Ickleford called off the chase and finished on 175-7 for the draw off 47 overs. Of the two quick wickets, skipper Bristow said: "It was the game's defining point. From looking like winning they instantly went to looking like losing. They shut up shop, and we had nothing left to keep them interested. From that point on the game was a draw."

For Colney, Zaman (3-44) and Bristow (3-52) were the pick of the bowlers in a game where they at least finished with the upper hand. Colney go away to Kings Langley on Saturday.

In Division Seven, London Colney II fell short of the run chase against hosts Old Cholmeleians. The home side were presented with too many four balls as they opened up and posted 227 all out. Only Simon Fretter with an excellent return of 7-34 from 12 overs, and Connor Dow, confirming his promise with 2-38 from two four over spells, impressed for Colney.

With the bat, Colney started well and John Jenkins (57) and a half-fit Trevor Ray, with a patient 16, got them off to a decent start. Paul Wise then followed up with 31 but Colney then collapsed to 168 all out, with an over and a ball still to go.