Rain thwarts Harps’ push for the top

HCPL Division One

Bishop’s Stortford 208-6

Harpenden

Match abandoned

BISHOP’S Stortford’s David Hughes (72 in 111 balls) made a half century whilst Ben Frazer (10-1-38-4) spun Harpenden in to a position where a good run chase might have been on offer if only the rain would hold off. The weather had the last word however as not a ball was bowled in the reply and the match was abandoned. Harpenden are back at home this week to face Keith Dutch and Tring Park CC. Both sides have three wins this season but Harpenden, in fourth, currently sit one place above Tring, fifth, in the HCPL league table.

The only other Harpenden team to play and to actually complete a match on Saturday were Simon Wade’s IIIs where Letchworth’s home ground seemed to repel the surrounding rain clouds. Such things seem to happen when you are top of the league and Letchworth made their luck count by dismissing Harpenden for 173-9 in 52 overs.

Simon Arnold (52) made some classic runs at the top of the order but was out just at the point that his team needed him to go on and make a big score. Mark Fettes, Matt Stannard and Berwyn Petrie all made it to 20 but none could go on to ensure that Harpenden put a par total on the board. Batting was never easy whilst keeping one eye on the clouds but spinners Dominic Marsh (16-3-37-4) and Adam Jenkins (15-0-59-4) both bowled good spells to set up a victory charge. Opener Simon Elliot (109*) then made short work of the Harpenden bowling as Letchworth cruised home by nine wickets and in 35 overs in one of the few matches to finish in Division Three. Despite the loss, Wade’s team were rewarded for playing by moving up a place down at the bottom of the table.

On Sunday Gregg Cooper (102 in 89) and Chris Warn (67 in 59) posted a 110 run opening partnership in the Chess Valley League match at home on the Common versus Edmonton. Billy Lange-Hewlett (47 in 34) also struck the ball well as Harpenden posted a huge total of 293-9 in their 45 overs. Harpenden were anticipating that a run rate of 6.5 an over would force Edmonton to panic and throw away early wickets but a finely paced second innings led to Edmonton falling short by just 1 run at 292-8 in a tense and exciting finish that was a credit to the approach of both sides.