Division Two Old Albanian 224-5 dec (50 overs) Knebworth Park II 124-10 (40) AFTER their disappointing defeat to Preston the week before, OACC were keen to get their league season up and running with a win against Knebworth in Division Two. Some enforced

Division Two

Old Albanian 224-5 dec (50 overs) Knebworth Park II 124-10 (40)

AFTER their disappointing defeat to Preston the week before, OACC were keen to get their league season up and running with a win against Knebworth in Division Two.

Some enforced changes to the side saw Mark Winchester join the firsts and Ben Farrar make his first team debut.

Captain Jon Smithers won the toss and elected to bat in the humid conditions. This proved to be an excellent decision as the opening partnership of Nguyen and Rehman put on 60 for the first wicket inside 14 overs, before Nguyen was dismissed on 30. Alistair Lewis and Rehman then continued the run scoring before Lewis and Rehman (32) were both dismissed in quick succession.

Mark Winchester and Simon Wood steadied the ship, with Winchester in particularly good attacking form before he was dismissed for 38. Wood soon followed but Smithers and Matt Corran took the side to 224-5. Smithers played the consummate captain's innings by pulling, driving and cutting the ball to all parts of the ground on his way to 69 not out.

In reply, the match was over as a contest within six overs as overseas paceman Kwesi Roy removed three of the Knebworth top order and the visitors were soon 30-4, with Matt Corran also picking up a wicket. As Knebworth played out for the draw, Tom Preest and Nick Nguyen both picked up a couple of wickets (Smithers and Roy picking up the other two) and OACC won comfortably with 10 overs to spare. OACC away to Radlett II on Saturday at Cobden Hill.

l In Division Five, Old Albanian II had to battle for a high-scoring draw away to Langleybury II.

After the home side had amassed a target of 224-5 from their 53 overs, the Old Albanian second string managed to reach 189-6. Senior pro Julian Baines scored his first league 50 for the club after being promoted up the order and Stuart Dunklin enjoyed his renaissance with the bat. Stand in captain Tariq Hassan also contributed 43 runs and two wickets during the game as the St Albans based side came up short.

l Old Albanian III continued their miserable start to the season with the bat as they fell to defeat at Great Gaddesden in Division 11.

After being inserted by the Gaddesden captain, the away team lost their first wicket from the fifth ball of the match. Opener David Burrows hit 20 but the OAs were dismissed for 101. Hiren Amin (27) top scored for the visitors with some lusty blows late on in the innings.

In reply Anthony Goodin (4-31) got the Old Albanians off to a great start by reducing Great Gaddesden to 12-3. The hosts then hit back with their skipper showing fine form as they reached 101-4.

l In Division 13, Old Albanian IV lost their opening fixture of the season to a very strong Redbourn III outfit. Batting first on a good wicket, the Old Albanian side struggled to 135 for nine. At one point they were 27-5 but an excellent rear guard action by David Hughes (25 not out) and Tim Smith (41 not out) ensured that the home side posted some kind of target.

In response Redbourn reached their target in 17.2 overs with Matt Cramer scoring a rapid 70, including six fours and five sixes.