Another poor batting performance saw London Colney slip down the Saracens Hertfordshire Cricket League Division Five A table with a 49-run loss away to Hertford 3rds.

It was the second game in a row that they have been in control but ending up throwing it away, causing skipper Scott Hadley a major headache as he looks for a solution.

Colney were put into the field after losing the toss but opening bowlers, Uzman Zaman and Tim Fretter, had Hertford in trouble with early wickets.

This was backed up by the rest of the bowling attack as Hertford were left struggling at 100-7 at the drinks break.

Ian Codd though was batting very well for his 46 and thanks to that Hertford got up to 191 all out.

But on a small ground with a fast outfield, the total was not something that should have posed a problem to the batsmen and skipper Scott Hadley was pleased with the effort his bowlers put in.

Zaman and Fretter both got to two wickets and they were joined on a brace by Simon Fretter and John Pinkham.

Trevor Ray and Dave Goff took the other scalps.

However, Colney’s ability to chase any score down came into question again as they found themselves 22-3 early on.

Tim Fretter and Ade Fisher steadied the ship but when Fisher fell for 13 it was left to Fretter to carry the mantle.

With Pinkham now alongside him, Tim Fretter took the attack to Hertford and the opposition skipper didn’t seem to have an answer to his attacking sweep shots to the short boundary.

At drinks Colney had recovered to 106-4 and were well placed to win the game.

But there must have been something in the water because after the break they simply imploded.

Pinkham was the first to go, stumped as he came down the wicket, and then Fretter went for 50 after one sweep too many.

There was a brief resistance from Paul Seymour and Ray but Colney were bowled out needing only 49 off 11 remaining overs.

The second team also suffered a tough day at the office as they lost by 86 runs to Harpenden 5ths.

Paul McGrievy and Russ Blackman took three wickets each but Cian Davidson’s maiden 50 was the only highlight with the bat.