Division Eight Wheathampstead II 171-10 (50.0) Hemel Hempstead IV 157-10 (49.0) WHEATHAMPSTEAD II recorded a dramatic win against Hemel Hempstead IV on Saturday in Division Eight. Skipper Lawrence Garland lost the toss as usual and WCC II

Division Eight

Wheathampstead II 171-10 (50.0) Hemel Hempstead IV 157-10 (49.0)

WHEATHAMPSTEAD II recorded a dramatic win against Hemel Hempstead IV on Saturday in Division Eight.

Skipper Lawrence Garland lost the toss as usual and WCC II were invited to bat first on a wet wicket.

Three wickets fell quickly for 20 runs before Tim Kiek and Alex Jack combined. Kiek crafted 44 runs while Alex Jack took a more positive approach and clubbed four sixes and four 4s before offering a catch on 48.

The quick scoring meant there were plenty of overs to use up and experienced campaigner Peter Robbins played sensibly to ensure Wheato posted a defendable score. His valuable 13 runs combined with an excellent Dave Stevens knock of 32 led WCC to 171 all out in 50 overs.

HH started like an express train with Fowler hitting the first ball for four and after two overs Wheato were reeling with 23 runs on the board.

Although the new ball ensured more swing Fowler and Birnie continued to score freely and moved the score to 90 for no loss. Stevens made the breakthrough when Fowler (55) was well caught on the boundary. Lewis toiled hard and his 12 over spell was eventually rewarded when Birnie was caught for 35.

Skipper Garland then made a decisive move to bring on leg spinner Dabare and Keith Martin. The duo turned up the pressure and Man of the Match Alex Jack pocketed three vital catches as wickets started to tumble.

After several missed chances, WCC eventually recorded a famous win from a game that looked lost and David Dabare's (13-2-32-5) and Keith Martin's (14-5-20-3) bowling during the final 30 overs helped secure a valuable 30 points. HH lost 10 wickets for 60 runs as they collapsed from such a strong start.

A late arranged fixture saw a weakened Wheathampstead XI enjoy a traditional rural setting at Bayford & Hertford.

Batting first WCC scored 159 with David Dabare scoring another excellent half century (36 in boundaries) and useful contributions from stand-in skipper Simon Evans (29) and Jeremy Berger (32). In reply, Bayford & Hertford ran out comfortable winners on 160-2. Opening bowlers Steve Smith and Jake Bavister bowled well for no reward while Dabare and Berger picked up a wicket apiece.