Division Four Hertingfordbury 62-10 (42.3) Redbourn 64-2 (15.4) A JON Fleming inspired Redbourn grabbed their ninth win of the season against promotion challengers Hertingfordbury, as they continue to head the Division Four table by 21 points.

Division Four

Hertingfordbury 62-10 (42.3) Redbourn 64-2 (15.4)

A JON Fleming inspired Redbourn grabbed their ninth win of the season against promotion challengers Hertingfordbury, as they continue to head the Division Four table by 21 points.

Skipper Dan Roe asked the home side to bat first on a wicket that would offer assistance to the bowlers.

Hertingfordbury looked to start positively, but as soon as Fleming clean bowled opener Rogers with the score on 11, the league leaders never looked back. Fleming was bowling with just a hint of swing and seam movement and with Chris Dobson snapping up two fine catches at short extra cover, Fleming was to end with remarkable figures of 19 overs, 11 maidens, 7 wickets for 18 runs.

At the other end, Darren Bassill maintained the pressure, bowling 13 consecutive overs for 15 runs, whilst picking up the wicket of the other opener with a beautiful delivery that jagged back to take the middle stump.

As Bassill and Fleming tired, partnership breaker Ben Roe (1 for 3) dismissed Martin, whose 17 runs off 71 balls was the only real resistance offered by the home side. Faisal Khan (1 for 6) was to pick up the final wicket, as Hertingfordbury were dismissed for just 62.

The result was never in doubt, as Chris Yorath and Simon Osman took 14 runs off the first two overs. Yorath went on to make a quick fire 23, and although Ben Roe was to fall cheaply, Osman (15 not out) and Dan Roe (13 not out) ensured Redbourn cruised home for the loss of two wickets.

Skipper Roe was delighted with the win. He said: "Today was all about Jon Fleming who put in an outstanding effort. The other bowlers also bowled with great control, and they never gave the opposition any respite. We now look forward to our next match, which is against second-placed County Hall. We're playing well, but we know that we're in for a tough game against a side that will be just as confident."

Redbourn IIs had to battle at home against Old Finchleians IIs in Division Seven on Saturday.

Having lost the toss and asked to field they took early control with Pete Cridland removing three of the top four Finch batsmen in a great opening spell of 3 for 21. Dan Thatcher beat the bat on multiple occasions but could not get a nick.

Opening bat Crispin dug in and put on 65 with Sherman to bring Finch back in the game. Martin Benfield bowled Sherman (34) and soon after Chris Godfrey (2 for 20) removed Crispin (41) to leave the Finches in trouble again at 116 for 6. Crucially several handy Finch lower order bats scored runs, including Savani, who pushed the score on. Benfield (4 for 48) finally removed Savani (30) thanks to a third catch of the day by Jamie Doherty, with the score at 196 off 49.3 overs.

The Finch bowling line up was stronger than their batting but opening bats Dave Smith and Richard Blair kept a steady run rate going.

Blair fell when he placed the ball into the hands of square leg for 20 and this became the story of the innings. Smith fell for 19, soon followed by Toby Ascroft for 22. The run rate was also climbing above six but with Antony Mauder and Jamie Doherty at the crease the game was still on. Mauder was out for 22 and Doherty 28, but good batting from Geoff Bartlett again raised Redbourn hopes with 21 required off three overs. When Bartlett was caught on 27 the run chase was up and so the final Redbourn pair batted out for the draw, finishing on 178 for 9.

Redbourn IIIs played Old Elizabethans IIIs and racked up win number 10 of the season to consolidate their commanding lead in Division 13.

Bowling first skipper John Pritchard kept his tactic of bowling one bowler all the way through the innings with Simon Emmins taking his turn.

The Lizzies were in dire straights at 62 for 8, with Emmins picking up 6 for 43. There were also wickets for Jimmy Lee, Tom Cridland, and Matt Lloyd. Lizzie number 8 Godfrey smashed 44 not out to take the final score to 120 all out off 45 overs.

In reply, Redbourn were in trouble until Nick Sinfield survived early scares to score a model run a ball 63 not out. Pritchard, mindful of his rising average, also finished unbeaten on 37 to reach 121-2 off 27.5 overs.