Cup win makes it a double for Redbourn

Herts Trophy Final

Redbourn 180-9 (45) Northampton Exiles 83-10 (27.5)

REDBOURN capped off a fairytale season by clinching an historic league and cup double, after a convincing victory over Northampton Exiles in the Herts Trophy Final on Sunday.

With a delayed start, the match was reduced to 45 overs per side. Redbourn skipper Dan Roe decided to bat first in the hope his side could post a competitive total.

With the wicket a little on the soft side, Dan Roe combined with Simon Osman whose showed that he was in good touch.

Roe fell LBW for 11, after the pair had added an important 53 runs for the second wicket. Osman (30) quickly followed but Geoff Tookey (22) and Ben Roe added 48 runs for the fourth wicket.

Ben Roe (41) received good support from Gary Sandford and Redbourn showed fine batting depth. Chris Godfrey hit 20 off 23 balls, which included two fours and a six and late blows from Darren Bassill and Chris Dobson saw Redbourn reach 180 for 9.

Redbourn were missing injured strike bowler Ahmed Jamal so the new ball was handed to Jon Fleming and Bassill.

With a hint of swing in the air, Bassill's nine over spell reaped excellent figures of 4 for 15, and was to rightly earn him the man of the match award.

Geoff Tookey (3 for 35) hammered home Redbourn's advantage. Fleming (1 for 22) returned to the attack and, with Ben Roe (1 for 0) and Chris Dobson (1 for 5) also picking up a wicket each, Exiles were finally dismissed for 83.

Skipper Dan Roe said: "What a great year for the club, but we now start planning for the 2009 season. Thanks must go to our club coach, Wayne Osman, and our bowling coach, Duncan Lennox for all the hard work that they have put in this season. They give up their time and ask for nothing in return, and we have certainly reaped the benefits.