Redbourn are still in the hunt for a promotion spot in Sarcens Herts Division Three A after batting out a draw against Baldock.

Redbourn slipped from top spot three weeks ago and currently sit in fifth with five games to play.

On Saturday, they could have lost touch with the division’s front runners after Sanjay Chandarana hit a 116-ball 115 in Baldock’s first innings 261-5. Chris Fleming, Ben Roe and Adam Pritchard were able to stem the tide of wickets in the reply and, more importantly, eat up overs to earn Redbourn a draw.

It was a result that looked unlikely after Baldock’s batting performance.

Chandarana was superb before Jon Fleming shaped a ball back into him and trapped him LBW. He put 60 runs on the board in an opening stand with Daniel Plumb (20) and 54 with number three Johnny Harris, who edged behind to Thomas Copp for 23.

The third-wicket stand between Chandarana and Gary O’Brien was the biggest of the match. They scored 115 to take Baldock from 114-2 to 129-3 when Connor Yorath found the edge of O’Brien’s bat.

After Jon Fleming struck to get Chandarana out, Baldock added 12 more runs before declaring in the 50th over.

Chris Yorath and Chris Fleming steered the chase away from danger following Simon Osman’s duck. Chris Fleming made 63 before he was run out by Chandarana, leaving Pritchard and Roe to build Redbourn’s biggest partnership. They finished on 38 and 56 respectively as they ate away at the remaining overs.

Both were clean bowled, but Alex Salter saw out the remaining overs to finish unbeaten on 13 and earn Redbourn a draw.