Harpenden off the mark at last with comfortable Letchworth stroll
Harpenden's Ben Frazer traps Letchworth Garden City's Tom Simmons LBW in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
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.
Letchworth Garden City's Matt Bridge faces a delivery from Harpenden's Tom Beasley in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
It isn’t enough to lift them out of the bottom two but it does close the gap on Hertford to just 11 points.
Harpenden's Tom Beasley prepares to bowl in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
The victory was built on a solid bowling attack and a clinical batting performance.
Harpenden's Tom Beasley prepares to bowl in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
Harpenden won the toss and on an overcast day they put the visitors to The Common into bat.
Harpenden in the field in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
It was a more spirited performance with the bat than previous weeks for Letchworth and they made decent progress against the new ball.
Harpenden wicket keeper in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
That was until Will Aitkenhead was dismissed for 28 by Tom Beasley, caught by Ben Clements, with the score on 37.
Harpenden in the field in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
Ben Frazer struck shortly after to claim the wicket of Letchworth skipper Tom Simmons and by lunch they were 113-6.
Harpenden during a drinks break in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
Most Read
- 1 Revealed: Hertfordshire's most desirable villages
- 2 10 filming locations of new Netflix series Stay Close
- 3 Careers advice for St Albans children in centuries gone by
- 4 Ricky Gervais' Netflix series After Life filmed in Hertfordshire
- 5 Revealed: The five areas of Hertfordshire where the average home costs more than £1m
- 6 Town bank building given green light to split into three
- 7 Party leaders at odds over latest delay to St Albans Local Plan
- 8 The Hairy Bikers set to ride into St Albans for this year's Pub in the Park festival
- 9 Herts, camera, action! Turning film fantasy into reality with new screen tourism development programme
- 10 City centre Poundland store could be demolished and rebuilt
Maxford Pipe proved the thorn in the side though and he batted to 79 before being run out, leaving the visitors on 205-9.
Letchworth Garden City's Matt Bridge faces a delivery in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
Frazer went on to add two more wickets and final figures of 3-39 while Clements managed 2-38.
Harpenden's Ben Frazer bowls in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
Scott Galloway was the other man to take a wicket.
Letchworth Garden City's Maxford Pipe plays a shot in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
Letchworth managed to get two wickets before the score got to 60 but that’s when Harpenden took a firm grasp of proceedings.
Letchworth Garden City's Matt Bridge faces a delivery in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
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.
Letchworth Garden City's Matt Bridge faces a delivery in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
Harpenden make the short trip to the other side of St Albans on Saturday to face Radlett.
Letchworth Garden City's Tom Simmons walks off after losing his wicket against Harpenden in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
The fifth and sixth teams were also celebrating after wins.
Letchworth Garden City's Matt Bridge in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
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.
Harpenden's Ben Frazer traps Letchworth Garden City's Tom Simmons LBW in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
And the sixths enjoyed an eight-wicket win at home to Botany Bay.
Letchworth Garden City's Tom Simmons walks off in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
However, the seconds had a tough day away to Old Owens as they lost by 170 runs.
Harpenden celebrate a wicket in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
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.
Harpenden's Ben Frazercelebrates a wicket in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
Barney Francis hit 54 in reply but Harpenden only got to 147.
Harpenden's Ben Frazer traps Letchworth Garden City's Tom Simmons LBW in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
The thirds lost to Hemel Hempstead by six wickets and the fourths game was conceded.
Harpenden's Ben Frazer traps Letchworth Garden City's Tom Simmons LBW in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: 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 - Credit: 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 - Credit: 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 - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
Harpenden in the field in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
Harpenden's Tom Beasley prepares to bowl in the match between Harpenden and Letchworth. Picture: DANNY LOO - Credit: 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 - Credit: Picture: DANNY LOO
