London Colney claim league crown with Finchley success

They need 11 points to make sure of their success but claimed the full 30 in fine style.

They lost the toss at Woodside Park and were asked to bowl by the hosts, a decision they would regret instantly.

With the wicket offering assistance to the seamers, Colney were soon amongst the top order with Tim Fretter removed the first three batsman in his 10-over spell.

He ended up with figures of 3-21 but they weren’t the pick of the bowling as Dave Goff rattled through wickets, finishing with 5-17.

Simon Fretter claimed the remaining two wickets as Finchley completed their innings on 94.

In reply Colney got off to a bad start with Andy Cole chopping on for just one run but up stepped Graham Seymour and leading run-getter Rick Zeiderman.

They put on 60 before Seymour was bowled for 27 and skipper Scott Hadley and Mitch Bradley also fell.

But there was still plenty in hand for the visitors and it was left to Tim Fretter to hit the winning runs, dispatching a six over midwicket.

He finished unbeaten on 11 with Zeiderman ending up 30 not out.

A spokesman for the club said: “It has been a fantastic season for Colney who will be looking forward to life in Division Five A.

“We have our President’s day this Saturday where the celebrations will continue.”

It wasn’t a good day at the office for the 2nd team however as they lost by 192 runs to Redbourn 3rds in Division Nine B.

The victory for Redbourn was enough to seem them win the league.

The first ball of the innings went for six and Redbourn never looked back.

They amassed a huge 260-6 from their 50 overs with the pick of the bowlers being John Gibbons who took 2-34.

Phil Smith, Gareth Halsey, Shiron Maclan and Paul Hadley shared four wickets between them.

The only resistance with the bat came from Cliff Johns who scored 38 of Colney’s mere 68.

They ended the year in sixth, a good mid-table finish for the side who will look to build next season.