Jamal in the swing as Redbourn storm to fifth success

Division Four

Redbourn 177-9 (53.0) Bushey 132-10 (37.4)

DIVISION Four leaders Redbourn stormed to their fifth victory of the season as they crushed hosts Bushey on Saturday.

Stand in skipper Simon Osman won the toss, and bravely decided to bat first on what proved to be a spiteful wicket.

Redbourn started well adding 41 for the first wicket before Osman (16) fell to a vicious delivery.

Ben Roe and Geoff Tookey combined well until Roe was caught off a top edge. Gary Sandford was promoted up the order to support the impressive Tookey, and did just that, with the pair adding 71 runs for the fifth wicket. Sandford was finally bowled for 22, but he and Tookey had ensured Redbourn would most certainly post a decent target.

Tookey punished anything pitched short, before falling for a fine and patient 64 off 102 balls, which included 10 fours.

Redbourn showed their batting depth when Faisal Khan (23 not out) and Darren Bassill (16 not out) added a further 35 unbeaten runs for the ninth wicket. Redbourn posted a very challenging 186 for 8 off their allotted 53 overs.

Bushey's reply could not have started better for Redbourn, with Jamal Ahmed bowling the opener with the third ball of the innings. Jamal picked up another two quick wickets, one of which courtesy of a fine leg side stumping from Sandford. At 40 for 3, Redbourn appeared to be in control, before a 38 run partnership brought Bushey back into the game.

Jamal struck again and his pace and swing ensured he finished with 6-46 off 15 overs. Bushey retained a slight glimmer of hope until Australian star Logan was run out by the Wellsbury/Sandford combination, and Bushey had fallen to 130 for 8.

Faisal Khan (1 for 7) and Darren Bassill (2 for 40) mopped up the tail as Bushey were bowled out for 138, giving Redbourn the win by the margin of 48 runs.

Redbourn II lost at home to promotion hopefuls Tewin in Division Seven on Saturday.

Tewin batted first and their run rate was severely restricted by tight lines from opening bowlers Simon Emmins (3 for 32) and Martin Benfield.

At 30 overs Tewin had only reached 78 but were rescued by Rylieff who feasted on some poor Redbourn bowling to smash a fast 88. Despite his dismissal by Nick Sinfield the damage had already been done. A big total was avoided by good bowling from Jamie Doherty and Benfield (3 for 62 off 21 overs) as Tewin finished on 224 all out off 53 overs.

The Redbourn reply started well with openers Toby Ascroft (19) and Dave Smith (28) scoring at an adequate rate.

Tewin alternated spin and fast bowling and five quick wickets had Redbourn on the rocks and heading for defeat. Another stylish innings by Doherty (37) followed up by a partnership between Graeme Smyth (25) and Dan Darvell (18) gave Redbourn hope but the last wicket fell with the score on 177 off 43 overs. Skipper Mauder said: "Our middle order batsmen need to start functioning, although it was sloppy bowling that really turned the game today. Having said that, 13 points is not a bad days work against a good side."

Redbourn III hit the top of Division 13 with victory at Bentley Heath II on Saturday. The Redbourn bowlers made the most of a very poor wicket to reduce Bentley to 90 all out. The pick of the bowlers was Sam Everly, aged 14, with outstanding figures of 4 for 7 off eight overs. Jim Lee also took four wickets, and there was a wicket each for George Naismith and Geoff Bassill.

Redbourn also suffered from the wicket but took their time to reach the total. Contributions were spread, including Jack Dyer (18), Matt Lloyd (13), Dennis Gibbs (18 not out), before Sam Everly completed his great day by scoring the winning runs as Redbourn reached 91-7 off 39 overs. For full score cards and junior match reports go to www.redbourn.play-cricket.com

In the 20 over evening Gazette Cup on Friday Redbourn defeated Little Gaddesden and now face Leverstock Green for a place in the semi final.