LONDON Colney began their 2008 campaign with a short away trip to local rivals Shenley Village. After winning the toss, Colney skipper Matt Bristow elected to have first use of a green

Division Three

Shenley Village 256-8 (53) London Colney 186-5 (47)

LONDON Colney began their 2008 campaign with a short away trip to local rivals Shenley Village.

After winning the toss, Colney skipper Matt Bristow elected to have first use of a green and helpful looking pitch and elected to bowl.

Encouraged early on by some seam movement and ambitious stroke play from Shenley opener Anooj Vadgama (47), which saw numerous plays and misses, Colney were unable to capitalise and Shenley made a solid start at a good rate.

Vadgama eventually holed out to deep midwicket off Webster-Smith bringing Pasha Ali (24) and Mahela Undugodage (35) to the wicket. After a good partnership, both fell in quick succession to Zaman and skipper Bristow, sparking a mini collapse which saw Shenley lose four wickets for three runs in six overs.

Zaman was particularly impressive, varying his pace to pick up 4-100 from a 23 over spell. Shenley's innings was resurrected by their captain Rahul Gajjar (58) who in partnership with Ryan Hamill (27) struck some lusty blows, propelling Shenley to a large score. Both were eventually dismissed by Bristow who finished with 3-74, but they had ensured Shenley reached a daunting total of 256-8 from their 53 overs.

Colney's response got off to a brisk start with openers McLaughlin (23) and Buckmaster (30) taking 19 of the first four overs.

Shenley hit back as their attack of Imran Yousaf and Lloyd Willingham quickly adapted to the conditions and tied the Colney batsman down and although the first wicket partnership yielded 62 runs, it took 25 overs leaving the away side with a mountain to climb.

Despite attacking fields, Colney struggled to up the run rate and although 72 runs came from the final 10 overs thanks to McCartney (44) and Tim Fretter (48 not out), it was too little too late and Colney finished well short on 186-5.

Although Colney will be pleased with avoiding defeat on the opening day, the failure to make the most of helpful bowling conditions early on will be a worry to skipper Bristow even though he will have been cheered by the early season form of enigmatic batsman Tim Fretter.

In Division Seven, London Colney II hosted Little Berkhamsted Sahibs and skipper Seymour lost the toss. Colney were asked to bat and soon were reduced to 55-3. Connor Dow made 22 and John Gibbons held the tail together for a patient 18 but Colney were halted on 103 off 50 overs.

In reply two sharp stumpings from Fretter and some fine bowling from Paul Wise reduced Little B to scraping a draw with two wickets in hand on 88-8 off 50 overs. Colney took eight points and Berko five points, in a game played in the true spirit of cricket.