SHL Division Seven Flamstead 157-7 beat Old Cholmeleians 156 by three wickets FLAMSTEAD remain in second place after beating Old Cholmeleians by three wickets on Saturday. Watford Town still lead the division by just two points but the gap between Flamste

SHL Division Seven

Flamstead 157-7 beat Old Cholmeleians 156 by three wickets

FLAMSTEAD remain in second place after beating Old Cholmeleians by three wickets on Saturday.

Watford Town still lead the division by just two points but the gap between Flamstead and third-placed Harpenden IV is now 71 points with just three games to go.

Old Cholms won the toss and decided to bat first, the first time an opposition skipper had decided to have first go at Flamstead this season.

Old Cholms got off to a flyer with 31 coming of the first three overs. Twiggy Rogers struck first bowling Gilbert (12) with the score on 38 and Rose soon got in on the act bowling the number three for one and removing Chammerton (22).

Tim Wilkinson claimed the next two wickets to leave Old Cholms struggling on 82-5. Gibbard and O'Brien produced a partnership of 56 to give Old Cholms the chance of a decent total but the return of Rogers wrecked their plan as he had Gibbard (54) caught behind.

Rogers went through the lower order claiming another five wickets as Old Cholms finished on 156 all out.

Rogers finished with 5-21 which included his 50th league wicket of the season.

Flamstead had 54 overs to reach their target but lost skipper Andy Taylor (6) in the fourth over with just 17 on the board.

David Oswin and David Watson pushed the score along to 55 before Oswin (16) was bowled. Four balls later Watson (28) was caught at cover to leave Flamstead struggling on 62-3. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals as Flamstead crumbled to 106-7 but for the second time this season Mike Bradbeer (22no) and Tim Wilkinson (19no) rescued the innings.

The duo dug in and took no risks as they put on 51 to see Flamstead home by three wickets.

Skipper Taylor was delighted with another win but felt Flamstead should have won by more wickets.

"Our top six batsmen did not bat very well but one of our strengths is the depth of our batting.

"To have someone of the chairman's experience (Tim Wilkinson) coming in at number nine is a huge plus and both Mike and Tim showed the rest of us how to chase down a relatively low total.

"Next week we travel to London Colney II which won't be easy as they are fighting against relegation.