HCPL Division Two (East) Harpenden 126-10 (42) West Herts 130-1 (36.4) HARPENDEN suffered a nine-wicket defeat away at West Herts in the Home Counties Premier League Division Two East on Saturday. West Herts won the toss and put Harpenden in. Openers Tom

HCPL Division Two (East)

Harpenden 126-10 (42) West Herts 130-1 (36.4)

HARPENDEN suffered a nine-wicket defeat away at West Herts in the Home Counties Premier League Division Two East on Saturday.

West Herts won the toss and put Harpenden in. Openers Tom Stewart (25) and Adam Winchester (24) put on 35 together in what proved to be the best partnership for the visitors. Pakistan overseas star Sulaman Qadir hit 18 from 26 balls before he was unlucky to be out caught on the leg side and, after that, only number nine Mark Mason (16 not out) was able to reach double figures as Harps crashed to 126 all out from 42 overs.

Steven Finn, Steven Clark and Matthew Smith each picked up two wickets for West Herts. Harpenden first team manager Younis Ahmed praised the West Herts bowling. He said: "They won the toss and put us in. We would have done the same. It was ideal conditions for seam bowling. West Herts have a young quick bowler who is signed on for Middlesex. He has a great future. He has a good action and moves the ball off the seam consistently. Credit goes to their bowlers. Sulaman Qadir was very unlucky to get out on the leg side, flicking the ball off the glove. He has been so consistent with the bat and he was due for a low score."

In reply, impressive Harpenden swing bowler Mason struck out opener Craig Sanders (2) to reduce the hosts to 12-1 but, as in the previous week, the rest of the Harpenden bowling proved less than fruitful. Opener Neal Parlane (55 not out) and number three Steven Clark (57 not out) guided West Herts to a comfortable win on 130-1 off 36.4 overs. Ahmed said: "The total of 126 was just not enough. We needed around 170 to put pressure on them. Apart from our overseas player, nobody is getting 60s and 70s. We need the batsmen to take more responsibility and knuckle down. We got the early breakthrough with Mark Mason who has been bowling superbly and we just need someone bowling at the other end to put pressure on the batsmen."

Young bowler Joseph Peck is set to be called into the side this weekend and talented star Will Bates should return after weeks out with a broken thumb to bolster the batting line up. Harpenden play Hemel Hempstead Town on the Common.

l Harpenden II hosted Broxbourne on Saturday in Division Three of the Saracens Herts League.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Harpenden removed the visitors for just 117. Peter Makower bowled superbly to return figures of 3-16 with eight maidens from 12 overs. John Kerley picked up two wickets and Simon Murray and Joe Peck also claimed two wickets each.

Opener Mick Brookes led the reply for Harpenden as he top scored with 43, taking the score to 72-3 with support from Tony Hooper (24). Simon Arnold (16) and Simon Murray (9 not out) guided Harps to a two-wicket win on 118-8 after they lost four wickets for just 38 runs to make for a nervy finish.

l In Division Four Harpenden III made the trip to Hertford II and, after winning the toss, chose to bat first.

Opener Jake Pankhurst ensured the decision looked good as he hammered 73 and number four Edward Washington hit 48. Number five Mark Lowden contributed 55 not out and Mike Cooper (29) also batted well as Harpenden posted an impressive 230-6 off 53 overs.

In reply, Hertford reached 131 before opener Robert Carter was out for 76. Graeme Riddle continued on to reach 106 and Hertford secured victory on 234-4 off 44.2 overs.

Harpenden

T. Stewart c&b Finn 25

A. Winchester c Kendal b Clark 24

C. Bennett-Baggs run out (Richardson) 4

S. Qadir c Kendal b Sanders 18

D. Keenleyside run out (Smith) 7

O. Tuck c Gurney b Smith 7

M. Fettes b Clark 2

M. Fordham c Kendal b FInn 8

M. Mason not out 16

C. Arnold run out (Smith) 0

C. Roe b Smith 7

Extras 8

Total (42 overs) all out 126

Bowling: Finn 14-3-42-2; Clark 10-2-30-2; Smith 15-4-37-2; Sanders 3-1-11-1.

West Herts

N. Parlane not out 55

C. Sanders c Qadir b Mason 2

S. Clark not out 57

Extras 16

Total (36.4 overs) for one wicket 130

Did not bat: M. Smith; D. Hodges; S. Finn; W. Chaudhry; I. Gurney; S. Pich; D. Kendal; M. Richardson.

Bowling: Mason 14-3-46-1; Roe 4.4-0-25-0; Qadir 15-5-35-0; Arnold 2-1-6-0; Winchester 1-0-8-0.