SHL Division Three London Colney 255-5 lost to Waltham Cross Rosedale 258-4 by six wickets A POOR bowling performance from London Colney cost them dear as they failed to defend 255 away at Waltham Cross Rosedale. Colney s innings was about one man, opene

SHL Division Three

London Colney 255-5 lost to Waltham Cross Rosedale 258-4 by six wickets

A POOR bowling performance from London Colney cost them dear as they failed to defend 255 away at Waltham Cross Rosedale.

Colney's innings was about one man, opener Adam Buckmaster, who hit a magnificent 145 as the visitors piled on the runs, including an opening stand of 113 with John Jenkins (42) making his first appearance of the season.

For the hosts, Parmar took 4-55 and was comfortably the pick of the bowlers, as Colney cruised to 255-5 before skipper Scott Hadley declared after 50 overs.

Rosedale's is a ground where big scores can be made, and the home side would have felt confident but Hadley couldn't have expected his team to bowl so badly though, even without two of their main wicket takers.

No Waltham Cross Rosedale batsman made a big score, but none needed to as Parmar (37), Edwards (48), Gentle (55) and Leverstock (61) profited against bowling that lacked any consistency or threat, with only David Goff (1-24) seeming able to bowl straight.

Matt Bristow took two wickets but at a cost of 82, and the rest will probably want to forget their day, as Rosedale cruised home with an over and six wickets to spare.

l If the first team were disappointed at being unable to defend 255, Colney II's will have been even more distraught as they not only failed to defend 276 against Hexton, but saw them chased down with four overs to spare.

Colney's innings was led by a fine 91 from Connor Dow, and supported by runs from Joel Lambrick (20), Mitch Bradley (33), Ady Fisher (23), Danny Webster-Smith (37) and skipper Paul Hadley (29).

The declaration at 276-7 after 50 overs looked pretty much spot on, and was certainly not generous, but this was a day when Colney had limited bowling options, and indeed, the only one of Colney's attack to cause the visitors any trouble was Mitch Bradley, who wouldn't normally be expected to figure with the ball, but took 6-66 from 12 overs.

Andy Hurst claimed the other wicket to fall, but Hexton's tail held their nerve to cruise home with three wickets and four overs to remaining.