SHL Division Seven Flamstead 221-8 beat Hexton 110 by 111 runs Flamstead maintained their 11-point lead over Watford Town at the top of Division Seven with a comfortable win over Hexton. After all the rain the previous day Flamstead skipper, Andy Taylor,

SHL Division Seven

Flamstead 221-8 beat Hexton 110 by 111 runs

Flamstead maintained their 11-point lead over Watford Town at the top of Division Seven with a comfortable win over Hexton.

After all the rain the previous day Flamstead skipper, Andy Taylor, was hoping to win the toss but unfortunately he lost the toss and as expected Flamstead were asked to bat first.

They struggled against the opening bowlers and after 6.4 overs were in all sorts of trouble on 16-4, with Marshall 3-1 and Hill 1-12 doing the damage.

Skipper Taylor (8), Watson (0), Brown (1) and Oswin (2) were all bowled with the ball moving both in the air and off the wicket.

Gordon Banks and Martin Lindley started to rebuild the innings and gradually they got on top of the Hexton bowlers.

In the next 25 overs they rescued the Flamstead innings with a magnificent partnership of 127.

When Lindley was bowled by Smith for 60, Flamstead were looking for a declaration in the region of 230 plus.

However Hexton hit back with the removal of Banks for an excellent 73 and with two further wickets falling Flamstead were again in trouble on 177-8.

Mike Bradbeer (26no) and 15-year-old Jack Smith (22no) then produced an undefeated stand of 44 to see Flamstead secure maximum batting points as they ended on 211-8.

Hexton's reply got off to a poor start as well as they couldn't cope with the pace and accuracy of in-form Twiggy Rogers.

He took the first wicket on 12 as Hexton struggled to 38-4 with Lindley removing Hill (11) bowled playing no shot.

Tim Wilkinson then chipped in with 1-4 before skipper Taylor brought back his opening attack of Josh Rose and Rogers. They both took two wickets each as Hexton crumbled to 110 all out with three overs remaining.

Rose finished with 2-42 while Rogers ended up with 6-28 off 16 overs.

In his last six league matches Rogers has taken 31 wickets with five hauls of five wickets or more at an average of 5.7.

Captain Taylor was very relieved after a tricky afternoon. "Having been in deep trouble at 16-4, Gordon Banks and Martin Lindley with his maiden 50 for the club rescued us with a fine stand," he said.

"Twiggy Rogers produced another fine display of medium-quick bowling and has now taken 40 league wickets.

"It was a crucial win as Watford won again and now we travel to Waltham Cross Rosedale next week. They have won their last two games so another hard match awaits us.