SHL Division 4

Botany Bay 244-6 St Albans II 245-7

St Albans won by three wickets

ST ALBANS II began the season under new captain Toby Furnivall with a nail-biting three-wicket win over Botany Bay at a sun-kissed Clarence Park.

Newly promoted Botany Bay made a challenging 244-6 thanks to a combination of powerful stroke play and early-season miss-fielding from the hosts. Off-spinner Alex Rajendra took 4-37, including two wickets in three balls.

In reply, the Saints’ opening pair of Ian Mckinlay (46) and Sam Rowlands (40) laid a solid platform, but they were dismissed by the leg spin of Botany Bay’s overseas player who had earlier made 76. He finished with five wickets, but could not get the better of the unflappable Ben Ramsay whose 69*, aided by Toby Furnivall (32) and Afroz Khan (19*), saw his side home with four balls remaining.

The III XI experienced no such joy. Their match was postponed after a hose had been left on at their Sandpit Lane ground leaving the pitch waterlogged.

Meanwhile, the IV got off to a steady start with a draw against Botany Bay III. Mark Telkman top scored with 44 in their innings of 211-7, along with useful contributions from Hugo Thomas (35) and Guy Black (44). In the field, St Albans had their opponents on the back foot with Black and Andrew Walker leading the way with 2-34 and 3-34 respectively. However an obdurate resistance from Botany Bay’s middle order meant they finished on 146-6.