DEBUTANT Luke Samarasinghe scored the first league century at Normansland in 13 years as Wheathampstead drew their opening game of the season.
Having chosen to bat, Wheathampstead were 24-2 until Adam Winchester (42) put on a 77-run partnership with Samarasinghe for the third wicket.
Richard Winchester (28) and Adam Robbins (23no) showed great support but it was Samarasinghe’s day as he routinely found the boundary and holes in the field on his way to 115.
When he finally fell in the 49th over Wheathampstead saw out 12 more balls before declaring on 253-6, sitting firmly in the driving seat.
The momentum carried over into the bowling attack as Chris Strivens (2-13) and Mitchell Futcher (4-31) took early wickets but a 131-run stand by Hussain (80) and Hanif (75) put Watford back in the game.
The next five bastmen failed to add significant contributions thanks to Futcher’s bowling but the tail batted out the game to force a draw.
The result saw Wheathampstead pick up 18 bonus points, putting them in ninth place in the league. Next weekend Wheathampstead travel to Radlett 2s.
Final score: Wheathampstead (253-6) drew Watford Town (205-8) by 48 runs.
• Wheathampstead Sunday 1s (242-6) beat Eversholt (166) by six wickets.
The Sunday 1s won their first round match against Eversholt in the National Village Cup. Adam Winchester (133) held the innings together as Wheathampstead posted 242-6 before Eversholt were bowled out for 166 as Nick Martin, Dave Dabare, Steve Booth and Dave Tree all picked up two wickets each. The round two match is against reigning champions Reed CC on May 19 at Normansland.
• Wheathampstead 2s (113-4) beat Radlett 3s (112) by six wickets.
Nick Martin (4-11) starred with the ball, taking four wickets to restrict Radlett to just 112 runs before Todd Houlahan (50) and captain Jimmy McEwen (42) knock off the runs with six wickets to spare. Next weekend the 2s play Clifton at Nomansland.
• Wheathampstead 3s (84-6) beat Watford Town 4s (83) by four wickets.
A SEVEN wicket haul for Chris Dilks blew Watford away as they were dismissed for a measly 83 runs. In reply Wheathampstead survived an early scare to surpass the target. Richard Hodgson top scored with 18. Next up is a trip to Baldock 3rd XI.
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