Division Three Wheathampstead 155-10 (45.4) Broxbourne 136-10 (36.1) FOLLOWING yet another thrilling final over victory, Wheathampstead shot to the top of Division Three. In murky, dank conditions, the villagers slipped and skidded their way to a 19 run

Division Three

Wheathampstead 155-10 (45.4) Broxbourne 136-10 (36.1)

FOLLOWING yet another thrilling final over victory, Wheathampstead shot to the top of Division Three.

In murky, dank conditions, the villagers slipped and skidded their way to a 19 run victory at Broxbourne. Having won the toss, the home side put the Nomansland outfit in to bat.

Openers Hashmi and Chris Martin ensured a steady start before a patient effort from Chris Bates (43) and the flamboyant Zaf Iqbal (57) hauled the score to 130 for 2 before WCC collapsed to 155 all out.

Due to deteriorating conditions and a slow over rate, Broxbourne had a revised 37 overs. After losing an early wicket to a Dave Tree inswinger, Broxbourne consolidated and cruised to 119 for 1.

Pakistani pair Hashmi and Zaf Iqbal then arrived to spark a sensational swing in momentum. Both bowlers finished with four wickets and in bad light, star quick bowler Nick Martin took one ball of the final over of the game to strike leaving the home side 136 all out. Broxbourne amazingly lost nine wickets for 21 runs in the run chase.

Wheathampstead stalwart Dave Tree said: "It was an unbelievable game. We can take huge confidence from this. For a village outfit we are looking extremely strong."

After losing the toss, WCC II were asked to bat first on a drizzly overcast day at home to Botany Bay II in Division Eight. Openers Keith Martin and Guy Wilson batted watchfully against accurate seam attack of Johnson and Hubbard and put on 35 for the opening stand. Wilson (78) was joined by inform David Dabare (61) and this pairing put on 104 runs for the fourth wicket.

Botany Bay off spinner Skinner picked up 5-55 off 11.4 overs and WCC declared on 201-8 off 47 overs.

Botany Bay never looked like threatening the WCC score despite a steady 60 from Skinner. Harry Swan typified the WCC bowling with a tight seven over spell for 11 runs and tipped a return drive onto the stumps to see opener Skitt out of his crease backing up. BB did not help their cause with two additional run outs one of which was a fine stop and return throw from veteran Peter Robbins. WCC picked up 17 useful points as BB innings petered out on 133-7 off 43 overs.

On Sunday WCC took on Hatfield Dynamics and after losing the toss had to bat on a wet 'made for bowling' wicket.

Newcomer Rory Howard (13) and David Dabare steadied the ship. Dabare hit a superb 60 and Steve Booth chipped in with a useful 18 as WCC posted 141-10.

At 64-0 HD must have felt the game was as good as won, but once the wicket-less opening pace attack was changed Steve Smith (5-2-9-1) and newcomer Rory Howard (7-5-11-1) prevented runs being scored. Steve Booth trapped Tatchell LBW for 48 and HD had no other batsmen able to score runs quickly. Adam Robbins second spell was rewarded with two wickets and an important direct hit run out as HD closed at 131-6 and a well earned draw for Wheato.