Division Seven Flamstead 105-10 (41.0) Harpenden IV 106-5 (23.0) FLAMSTEAD were beaten by five wickets in Division Seven at local rivals Harpenden IV on Saturday. Skipper Andy Taylor lost the toss and Flamstead were inserted in ideal conditions for bowli

Division Seven

Flamstead 105-10 (41.0)

Harpenden IV 106-5 (23.0)

FLAMSTEAD were beaten by five wickets in Division Seven at local rivals Harpenden IV on Saturday. Skipper Andy Taylor lost the toss and Flamstead were inserted in ideal conditions for bowling, with cloud cover and a damp wicket.

All the Harpenden bowlers impressed in the conditions and openers Jason Guest (3-27) and Paul Wadhams (2-23) proved deadly.

Flamstead fell to 48-7, with Harpenden skipper Mark Bashford picking up 3-7 off eight overs. Stephen Wright and Dave 'Twiggy' Rogers led the recovery as they almost doubled the score. Rogers fell for 21 with the score on 94. Wright battled away and was last man out for a brave 23 with Flamstead all out for 105.

The Flamstead bowlers struggled to cope in the rain which started just after tea. Stuart Bashford (36) and Davis (19) soon had put on 33 after just six overs, before Wilkinson struck to have Bashford lbw.

Harpenden raced to 60-1 by the 10th over, before Wilkinson struck out Davis lbw. Young Tom Ridley took 2-21 and also claimed a run out reducing Harpenden to 85-5. Lewis (25 not out) then ended Flamstead hopes as Harpenden took their first win of the campaign on 106-5 off 23 overs.

Flamstead skipper Andy Taylor was left disappointed by the batting display. He said: "We did not bat well. Despite the ideal bowling conditions we should have reached at least 150 which would have given us a chance of victory."

Flamstead host Eversholt II on Saturday at Friendless Lane and will be looking to get back to winning ways. Harpenden IV go away to Flitwick II and will hope to build on their first win of the summer.