Division Five Wheathampstead 155-10 (49.0) Hemel Hempstead II 156-4 (43.0) WHEATHAMPSTEAD fell to their third defeat in four weeks at Hemel Hempstead II on Saturday. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Wheato got off to the worst possible start

Division Five

Wheathampstead 155-10 (49.0) Hemel Hempstead II 156-4 (43.0)

WHEATHAMPSTEAD fell to their third defeat in four weeks at Hemel Hempstead II on Saturday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Wheato got off to the worst possible start as the opening pair of Chris Martin and Sam Ledger fell in the first four overs with no runs on the board. Pakistani ace Hashmi then came to the crease and reversed some of the damage with an excellent 51.

The only other support on offer was from the lower order pair of Ghulum (21) and Booth (20 n.o.). Wheato ended the innings on a modest 155, knowing that only an excellent bowling display and a bit of luck would get them a result.

The Hemel openers looked comfortable on what was a good batting track, needing only 3 runs per over to secure victory. An early wicket for pace bowler Nick Martin looked to increase the pressure slightly but the run rate was always achievable. Despite losing a further 3 wickets, Hemel pushed home to a comfortable 6 wicket victory with Wheato picking up just 8 points. Wheathampstead will be glad to see the back of June having not won a match all month.

After the match, wicket keeper Sam Ledger said: "June has been a nightmare for us and we need to make a fresh start next week. We need a good performance to get that feel good factor back. Come on Wheaty boys."

Wheathampstead II faced their stiffest challenge this season with the visit of top of the league side Waltham X Rosedale II.

Wheato won the toss and got off to a flying start with 11 off the first two overs with new opening pair Steve Winton (19) and Tim Kiek (10) driving strongly down the ground.

The good start was undone as three wickets fell for 40 runs although Eamonn Keane was unlucky.

Wheato were forced to consolidate and Dabare (29) and Martin (31) held firm taking the score to 90.

Pete Robbins, N. Phillips and Dave Tree all contributed useful runs down the order. The crowd particularly enjoyed a huge straight six by Tree that bounced off the roof of a home player's car. Wheato finally reached 160-10 in 50 overs at the close with Roberts (15-5-47-5) and H. Patel (13.4-2-47-4) doing the damage for WXR.

The talking point over tea was of a lost opportunity to score more runs reflected by nine catches and a stumping given up on a perfectly adequate batting track.

Wheato opened with Nick Phillips (7-2-12-1) and Keith Martin (8-4-10-1) hoping not to concede early runs and nip out some early wickets.

The ploy worked well as Phillips got Bruces to edge to gully in the fourth over.

Martin got the first of five Patels with a sharply lifting ball again caught at gully and spirits picked up as a result.

The pace attack of Lewis and Tree was introduced but with Wallace (23) and Mansan (41) playing well WXR got themselves into a strong 82-2 position at drinks.

After the break Dabare was brought on to bowl leg spin with Lewis's away swing acting as a perfect foil. Wallace holed out to deep mid wicket and Mansan misjudged a straight full toss for a crucial C&B chance. Wickets fell then at regular intervals as Dabare (9.4-1-26-5) and Lewis (13-1-34-3) forced home an exciting win for the Nomanslanders and another 30pts.

WCC batted first on Sunday in this 40 overs encounter with an inexperienced Hatters side.

David Arbuthnott scored a breezy 38 opening and was joined by Harry Swan, aged 17, given the chance to bat up the order. Swan fashioned a superb maiden century with 15 fours for an innings to remember and present all kinds of headaches to the selectors.

The reliable Andy Alexander supported well with 33 and the father and son combination of Dave Stevens (39) and Jack Stephens (17) put on a final flurry 50 partnership to lift the score to 299-5 after 40 overs.

Hatters to their credit played positively despite the high score with Waqas and Waqas scoring 26 & 31 respectively. Dan Norris bowled tidily for his 3 wicket haul and Ollie Moorhouse bagged another brace. Wheato were always in control of the game as Hatters ended on 204-8.