SHL Division Three Redbourn 248-9 beat Rickmansworht 155 by 107 runs REDBOURN continued to demonstrate their good early season form with a convincing victory over Rickmansworth on Saturday. Redbourn captain Dan Roe lost the toss and was invited to bat, a

SHL Division Three

Redbourn 248-9 beat Rickmansworht 155 by 107 runs

REDBOURN continued to demonstrate their good early season form with a convincing victory over Rickmansworth on Saturday.

Redbourn captain Dan Roe lost the toss and was invited to bat, a decision that looked a good one for Rickmansworth with both Simon Osman and Chris Yorath falling early leaving Redbourn at 26-2.

However, that brought together Geoff Tookey and Dan Roe for the match turning partnership that saw Dan Roe batting fluently for his 58, with their running between the wickets being a standout feature of a highly positive stand.

Tookey continued batting with real purpose before departing for an excellent 75 in the closing overs as Redbourn closed on an imposing 248-9.

Tookey was well supported in the back end of the innings by Ben Roe (20), Toby Ashcroft (18) and Darren Bassill who injected real momentum to Redbourn's innings with an aggressive 25.

Rickmansworth opened their reply and were clearly in a rush, showing real positive intent as Dan Thatcher was deposited for a couple of mighty sixes by M Shah.

However, with Jamel Ahmed proving his normal dangerous self Redbourn achieved the early breakthrough. Thatcher responded positively to Rickmansworth's aggressive approach finding a better length and quickly ripped through the top order, removing the dangerous Shah (26) and three others, finishing with 4-39.

Redbourn's recent work to improve their fielding was well demonstrated with excellent close catching from Yorath and Ben Roe combining with two sharp run-outs facilitated by the sharp combination of Bartlett and Faisal Khan.

With the pressure building Khan spun his web to winkle out some low end resistance, with Afhemtulla contributing a well constructed 55.

With the run-rate rising and the wickets falling Jamel Ahmed was brought back into the attack and promptly had the last man lbw to pick up a deserved second wicket (2-43) as Rickmansworth were dismissed for 155.

After the game Dan Roe praised an excellent team performance and noted that whilst their will be tougher tests to come during the course of the season things are looking positive with the batting, bowling and fielding all working well together.

REDBOURN II got back to winning ways in Division Seven with a comprehensive victory over Waltham X Rosedales II's.

Winning the toss and bowling first Redbourn's opening bowlers Martin Benfield and Pete Cridland kept Waltham to a slow run rate and the pressure told when Benfield removed both openers as they tried to push the score on.

Waltham's number three, Patel, gave the innings some momentum but Benfield (6-36) removed the middle order with help from a sharp Matt Gibbs stumping and an excellent catch running back from point by Jack Dyer.

Patel was Waltham's only decent bat left and a policy of allowing him the single kept the pressure on the weaker bats. Jamie Doherty bowled an excellent seven over spell taking 1-15.

Benfield combined with Gibbs for a run out, while Chris Godfrey's spin was too hot for the tail end as he took the final two wickets leaving Patel stranded on 39 not out and Waltham all out for 93 off 32.5 overs.

In reply Nigel Wellsbury and Jack Dyer batted calmly to ensure no mistakes were made chasing down the small total.

With 67 overs to use no risks were required as they used up 33 to reach the target.

Dyer hit a majestic straight four to win the game with Wellsbury not out 48.