Harpenden moved second in the Saracens Hertfordshire Cricket League Premier Division after a four wicket success at home to North Mymms.

They were indebted to another fine innings from Ben Clements, who fell just five short of a century, and the bowling of Richard Darwin who snaffled four wickets.

Having won the toss, skipper Ben Frazer elected to field and it looked like it would be a good decision when Hamza Qayyum was trapped lbw off the bowling of Billy May in just four balls.

But Mymms soon got into the rhythm with Dan Millard and James Southgate batting solidly.

By the time Millard had departed for 50, the visitors had recovered to 103-2.

Richard Finch was doing the damage at the top end of the order, finishing with 3-64 but it wasn’t until Southgate became Darwin’s first victim that things began to unravel for Mymms.

He left at 173-5 and they would manage to get to 217-9 in 60 overs before declaring.

Harpenden’s reply got off to a steady if unspectacular start.

Gregg Cooper’s 33 at the top of the order was a good platform to build on but it was the partnership of Clements and Frazer, as it had been the previous week, that was the key to victory.

They had come together at 72-3 and managed to put on 78 for the fourth wicket before Frazer went lbw for 45.

It had taken him just 39 balls.

Clements eventually fell to a catch by Qayyum off the bowling of Syed Kazmi. His innings of 95 had taken 121 balls and included eight fours and six sixes.

By the time he left Harpenden had got to 207-5 and they made it to 221-6 after 48.1 overs.

Harpenden are back at the Common on Saturday as they attempt to keep the pressure on league leaders Radlett.

Hertford provide the opposition.

The 2nds failed to win for the first time this season with a draw against Old Finchleians. They remain top of Division Two A though.

There was also a draw for the 4ths despite Michael Voigt hitting 102 and D Jambrook 68.

But the 3rds were successful, beating Northampton Exiles by 30 runs.