Harpenden off the mark at last with comfortable Letchworth stroll

Harpenden picked up their first Saracens Herts Cricket League Premier Division win of the season in style by beating Letchworth Garden City by seven wickets.

Herts Advertiser: Letchworth Garden City's Matt Bridge faces a delivery from Harpenden's Tom Beasley in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO Letchworth Garden City's Matt Bridge faces a delivery from Harpenden's Tom Beasley in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

It isn’t enough to lift them out of the bottom two but it does close the gap on Hertford to just 11 points.

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden's Tom Beasley prepares to bowl in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO Harpenden's Tom Beasley prepares to bowl in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

The victory was built on a solid bowling attack and a clinical batting performance.

Harpenden won the toss and on an overcast day they put the visitors to The Common into bat.

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden in the field in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO Harpenden in the field in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

It was a more spirited performance with the bat than previous weeks for Letchworth and they made decent progress against the new ball.

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden wicket keeper in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO Harpenden wicket keeper in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

That was until Will Aitkenhead was dismissed for 28 by Tom Beasley, caught by Ben Clements, with the score on 37.

Ben Frazer struck shortly after to claim the wicket of Letchworth skipper Tom Simmons and by lunch they were 113-6.

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden during a drinks break in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO Harpenden during a drinks break in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

Maxford Pipe proved the thorn in the side though and he batted to 79 before being run out, leaving the visitors on 205-9.

Herts Advertiser: Letchworth Garden City's Matt Bridge faces a delivery in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO Letchworth Garden City's Matt Bridge faces a delivery in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

Frazer went on to add two more wickets and final figures of 3-39 while Clements managed 2-38.

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden's Ben Frazer bowls in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO Harpenden's Ben Frazer bowls in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

Scott Galloway was the other man to take a wicket.

Herts Advertiser: Letchworth Garden City's Maxford Pipe plays a shot in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO Letchworth Garden City's Maxford Pipe plays a shot in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

Letchworth managed to get two wickets before the score got to 60 but that’s when Harpenden took a firm grasp of proceedings.

Frazer was stopped six short of his half-century but he was the only other man to fall as Clements hit an unbeaten 75, including 10 fours and two sixes, and James Latham hit a rapid 42 not out.

Harpenden make the short trip to the other side of St Albans on Saturday to face Radlett.

Herts Advertiser: Letchworth Garden City's Tom Simmons walks off after losing his wicket against Harpenden in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO Letchworth Garden City's Tom Simmons walks off after losing his wicket against Harpenden in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

The fifth and sixth teams were also celebrating after wins.

Herts Advertiser: Letchworth Garden City's Matt Bridge in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO Letchworth Garden City's Matt Bridge in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

Piers Connolly was the top scorer with 82, ably-assisted by 64 from Ian Wedd, as the fifths won by 86 runs against London Colney.

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden's Ben Frazer traps Letchworth Garden City's Tom Simmons LBW in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO Harpenden's Ben Frazer traps Letchworth Garden City's Tom Simmons LBW in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

And the sixths enjoyed an eight-wicket win at home to Botany Bay.

Herts Advertiser: Letchworth Garden City's Tom Simmons walks off in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO Letchworth Garden City's Tom Simmons walks off in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

However, the seconds had a tough day away to Old Owens as they lost by 170 runs.

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden celebrate a wicket in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO Harpenden celebrate a wicket in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

The hosts made 317-8 in the first innings, Rhys Carter bashing 143, and only John Card had any luck with the ball as he took 4-78.

Herts Advertiser: Harpenden's Ben Frazercelebrates a wicket in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO Harpenden's Ben Frazercelebrates a wicket in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)

Barney Francis hit 54 in reply but Harpenden only got to 147.

The thirds lost to Hemel Hempstead by six wickets and the fourths game was conceded.

Herts Advertiser: Letchworth Garden City's Tom Simmons faces a delivery from Harpenden's Tom Beasley in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO Letchworth Garden City's Tom Simmons faces a delivery from Harpenden's Tom Beasley in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO (Image: ©2018 Danny Loo Photography - all rights reserved)