HCPL Division Two East Stevenage 144-10 (56.2) Harpenden 94-10 (47.1) HARPENDEN were unable to convert a good bowling display into victory at Stevenage on Saturday in the Home Counties Premier League Division Two East. After winning the toss and choosing

HCPL Division Two East

Stevenage 144-10 (56.2) Harpenden 94-10 (47.1)

HARPENDEN were unable to convert a good bowling display into victory at Stevenage on Saturday in the Home Counties Premier League Division Two East.

After winning the toss and choosing to bowl first, Harpenden took control of the fixture, reducing Stevenage from 57-2 to 108-6 and then dismissing them for just 144 off 56.2 overs.

Overseas star Sulaman Qadir took 6 for 32 off 21 overs with 10 maidens and Mark Mason claimed 3 for 39 off 12.2 overs. Syed Ali Kazmi was the top scorer for Stevenage with 29.

In reply, Harpenden crashed to 10-2 before Qadir (34) rallied but when he was dismissed by Tanweer Sikandar Stevenage were in rampant form.

Sikandar decimated the Harpenden batting line up, picking up amazing figures of 7 for 28 off 24 overs with 13 maidens. Ali Kazmi claimed two wickets and Harpenden were all out for 94 off 47.1 overs. Only Qadir, Will Bates (24) and Mark Fordham (10) managed double figures.

In Division Three of the Herts League, Harpenden II won by nine wickets on Harpenden Common against Cavendish.

After winning the toss and choosing to bat, Cavendish were promptly dismissed for just 85. Peter Makower picked up 3 for 21 off 11.5 overs and Simon Murray claimed 3 for 17 off nine overs. Chris Roe (2 for 23) and Chris Arnold (1 for 21) also took wickets.

Opener Tony Hooper guided Harpenden to an easy victory in reply, firing 64 not out alongside Deshan Karunaratne with 24 not out. Harpenden finished on 89-1 and go away to Clifton on Saturday in confident mood.

Harpenden IV won by six wickets against Reed II in Division Seven at St George's School.

Reed decided to bat first and hit 205-7 declared off 51 overs with Ian Fulk the top scorer on 54 not out. Paul Baker collected five wickets for Harpenden and Ian Moxon Booth picked up two victims.

In reply, Harpenden reached 206-4 off 49 overs for a superb victory. Stuart Bashford hit 64 not out and Michael Hughes contributed 49, with Alex Burrows (26) and Sam Boothby (28) also playing key roles.

Harpenden V were in impressive batting form as they took on Old Elizabethans at Toulmin Drive in Division 13.

Harpenden were asked to bat first and quickly took a liking to the strip with John Desborough (27) and Andy Elledge (64) each opening well. David Fraser (64) impressed at number three and Edward Peck (41 not out) blasted Harpenden to an impressive 218-3 declared off 46 overs.

In reply, OEs were bowled out for just 113 off 41.4 overs. Fraser and Peck added to their impressive batting with two wickets each and Jason Guest, Ben Rogers and Ben Dearman also claimed two wickets apiece.