Harpenden CC’s debutants impressed with bat and ball as they helped pick up an opening day win against Hemel Hempstead.

Herts Advertiser: Ben Frazer took four wickets against Hemel Hempstead. Picture: Alastair CroweBen Frazer took four wickets against Hemel Hempstead. Picture: Alastair Crowe (Image: Alastair C Cowe)

Nick Lamb brought in middle order batsman Scott Galloway and left arm spinner Dan Wightman, from New Zealand, to bolster his side’s attack and the moves paid dividends on Saturday.

Galloway top scored with 52 while Wightman took three wickets in their first outings.

It wasn’t only the debutants who impressed, though. The batting line-up set the foundation with good knocks from six players.

Having elected to bowl, Hemel dismissed Gregg Cooper (3), bringing Lamb to the crease to join Ben Frazer. The pair added 49 runs before Frazer (31) was caught.

Mike Howard’s (9) dismissal ushered Galloway to the middle and he and Lamb batted expertly to add 72 runs before the latter was caught for 51.

Galloway was next to fall but James Latham (25) and Alex Spencer (17) kept the innings ticking over as they set Hemel a target of 234 runs to win.

Hemel’s chase started well as the opening pair, Brett Penny (27) and Hamish Ilangaratne (15), put on 43 runs.

Simon White (3-40) scuttled the top two and added number three Adam Winchester (6) to his haul to leave the innings in the balance at 63-3.

Gareth James (10) and Jay O’Neil (27) pushed the score to 89 before another flurry of wickets, all taken by Frazer (4-32), put Harpenden in sight of victory.

Hitesh Patel (5) was caught off Wightman and Hemel’s danger-man Brad Finch (41) followed before the Kiwi wrapped up the win by removing Partha Mehta (4), caught by Frazer.

Harpenden have their first home game of the season on Saturday when they welcome Letchworth to the Common, 12.30pm start.