Disappointment for Redbourn as they fail to chase total

Division Four

County Hall 118-10 (53) Redbourn 101-6 (47)

A POOR showing by the Redbourn top order left them with just a draw against promotion challengers, County Hall in Division Four on Saturday.

County Hall won the toss and batted first, adding 95 for the first wicket in very good time.

Skipper Dan Roe brought on spin twins, Chris Dobson and Faisal Khan, and the pair dragged Redbourn back into the match.

Dobson (1 for 64) was the first to strike, courtesy of a sharp catch from Faisal at backward point and shortly afterwards, Faisal removed the other opener with a ball that turned sharply to bowl him through the gate. Faisal then proceeded to spin his way through the opposition's middle order and ended with superb figures of 4 for 26 off 19 overs.

Jon Fleming took the final four wickets, ending with 4 for 41, and with wicket keeper Gary Sandford picking up three impeccable stumpings, County Hall were bowled out for 180.

At Tea, Redbourn were certainly confident of reaching their target but soon found themselves well adrift on 44 for 4.

Nigel Wellsbury fell with the score on 62, and so it was left to Dan Roe and Gary Sandford to repair the damage.

Sandford (18) fell trying to up the tempo, and that turned out to be the end of any action as County Hall appeared unwilling to really attack the Redbourn batsmen for fear of bringing the home side back into the match.

Redbourn's skipper Dan Roe (33 not out) and Chris Dobson (7 not out) were in no mood to gift Redbourn's closest rivals a 30 point win. Redbourn ended well short on 101 for 6, taking 10 points for the draw, to County Hall's 12 points.

The result did leave Redbourn top of the table, although with a number of their rivals winning, the promotion race is certainly hotting up.

Skipper Dan Roe said: "Faisal bowled extremely well today, but collectively as a side, we were nowhere near our best. Whilst we were certainly culpable for making this game as poor as it was, County Hall need to ask themselves if they did enough to deserve winning it."

Redbourn III had a comprehensive victory over fellow promotion rivals Luton Town and Indians IVs.

Batting first the Redbourn scored their highest total of 239 for 7 off 47 overs. Pritchard (44), Dyer (22), Sinfield (26), Darvell (34), Bajpai (42) and Marino (10) all contributed.

With the ball Emmins (2 for 21), Lloyd (2 for 44), Cridland (1 for 19), and Sinfield (1 for 18) all took wickets.

Five of the last six Luton batsmen fell without scoring as Darvell (4-27) cleaned up the tail leaving Luton all out for 134.

On Sunday, Redbourn travelled to face fellow Division Four side Hatfield Hyde in the quarter final of the Herts County Trophy.

Dan Roe won the toss and chose to bat on an extremely hot afternoon. Simon Osman (52) and Chris Dobson (26) gave the visitors the perfect start adding 84 for the first wicket within the first 20 overs. Following his trip to the USA, Geoff Tookey was suffering badly from jet lag and when he was to fall LBW, it was left to brothers Ben and Dan Roe to ensure that the good start was not wasted. Ben Roe was finally stumped for 27, but Matt Gibbs, aged 14, showed maturity beyond his years and gave good support to Roe. Chris Godfrey scored a quick fire 21 off 18 balls, and with Dan Roe finally falling close to the end for a well played 38 off 39 balls, Redbourn were well beyond the 200 mark. Some frantic running between the wickets from Darren Bassill saw the side end on a competitive 236 for 9 off their 50 overs.

In reply, Jon Fleming and Tookey (1-9)) struck with wickets and Faisal Khan (2-24) and Chris Dobson (1-38) tightened the screws.

At 131 for 6, the match looked to be heading for a comfortable Redbourn win, but a spirited fight back from Hyde saw them add 70 runs for the seventh wicket. Fleming (3 for 34) & Dan Roe (2 for 12) took the final few wickets, as Hyde were bowled out for 203, giving Redbourn a winning margin of 33 runs. Redbourn will now face the winners of the Hatch End v Baldock match in the semi-final.