London Colney (205-6) got their Saracens Herts Division Four season underway with a 39-run win over Northampton Exiles (166).

Colney’s first two games were rained off so having won the toss and elected to bat, openers Matt Bristow (18) and Ricky Zeiderman made a cautious start, putting on 29 for the first wicket before the former fell LBW.

The rest of the order performed admirably in the face of Exiles’ attack, with Andy Cole (37) and Tim Fretter (41) putting up good knocks.

Ravi Booka started the chase with a rapid-fire 50 inside 25 balls. However, his impatience cost him and his team as he hooked the ball to Bristow on the leg-side boundary.

After the opener’s dismissal Colney strangled the run-rate as John Pinkham and Cole bowled tight, controlled lines.

Despite the regular tumble of wickets, the fast start to the innings meant that the required run rate never rose above five and Exiles’ lower order continued to play their shots in pursuit of victory.

With the visitors nine wickets down and the overs running out, a draw looked possible, until Bristow (3-38) found a hint of turn and the leading edge of the bat, taking the catch himself and handing Colney the win and 30 points.