Saracens Herts League Division Seven Flamstead (81-4) beat Hatfield (80) by six wickets FLAMSTEAD recorded their first league win of the season on Saturday when they comfortably beat Hatfield II by six wickets. Skipper Andy Taylor kept his 100 percent rec

Saracens Herts League Division Seven

Flamstead (81-4) beat Hatfield (80) by six wickets

FLAMSTEAD recorded their first league win of the season on Saturday when they comfortably beat Hatfield II by six wickets.

Skipper Andy Taylor kept his 100 percent record intact when he won his third consecutive toss and decided to put Hatfield in to bat.

Opening bowlers Tim Wilkinson and Twiggy Rogers made sure Hatfield didn't get off to a quick start by bowling a good line and length.

Rogers got the breakthrough when he had the dangerous Grove caught behind by Mike Bradbeer. Rogers picked up the second wicket when McCarthy was superbly caught by Josh Rose at mid-off to leave Hatfield struggling on 26-2.

With Wilkinson picking up two wickets and a good run-out by 15-year-old Ben Brownlie, Hatfield were struggling on 45-5.

Rogers (2-14) was replaced by Rose and he immediately bowled Causton for a duck.

Wilkinson (16-7-29-3) then struck again thanks to a one handed catch at mid-off by Rogers.

Young Colt Jack Smith then got in on the act by taking the last two wickets to finish with 2-10.

With 67 overs to reach their target of 81, Flamstead didn't get off to the best of starts as Brownlie was bowled by Groves for a duck. Groves (4-36) then removed Dave Watson (four), Matt Brown (16) and Taylor (16) to leave Flamstead on a tricky 45-4.

Experienced pair Gordon Banks (15 n.o.) and Martin Lindley (19 n.o.) then produced the highest partnership of the afternoon as they led Flamstead to victory by six wickets and with over 40 overs to spare.

Skipper, Taylor, was delighted to get the first win of the season under his belt. "I thought our bowling and fielding was excellent and made all the difference. We always had Hatfield under pressure with our tight fielding and we held two great catches.

"The bowlers all bowled tightly with our chairman leading the way and finishing with a good spell of 16 overs for just 29 runs.

"Next week will be a hard test for us as Shenley Village II scored 240 this week but we always enjoy playing at their ground and have a good record in the past against them.