Herts Trophy Semi Final Redbourn 211-7 (50 overs) Hatch End 178-10 (44.3 overs) REDBOURN entertained Hatch End in the semi final of the Herts Trophy on Sunday. Redbourn batted first and, after the early loss of Chris Dobson, got off to a solid start

Herts Trophy Semi Final

Redbourn 211-7 (50 overs) Hatch End 178-10 (44.3 overs)

REDBOURN entertained Hatch End in the semi final of the Herts Trophy on Sunday.

Redbourn batted first and, after the early loss of Chris Dobson, got off to a solid start thanks to sensible batting from Chris Yorath (37) and Toby Ascroft (24), against a very testing new ball attack.

Chris Godfrey upped the tempo with a quick-fire 20 and a good combination of hitting and running from Jimmy Speirs (47 not out) and Darren Bassill (26) got Redbourn up to a competitive 211 from their 50 overs.

Redbourn had a dream start in the field, with Ahmed Jamal taking a wicket in the first over, before a brilliant run out from Speirs and an even better stumping by Graeme Smyth left Hatch End in all sorts of trouble at 19-3.

With two wickets in an excellent spell by Darren Bassill and another run out, at 52-6 Redbourn briefly thought the game was over.

Despite a tight 10 overs from Faisal Khan (0-26), Hatch End slowly came back into the game by putting on 90 for the seventh wicket. They were up with the run rate so Redbourn knew they needed to take wickets to win the game. Dobson obliged with two wickets in an over but Hatch End still would not give in and it needed a fine catch under pressure from Ascroft and another stumping from Smyth to end their challenge and give Redbourn a 33 run victory.

Relieved stand-in skipper Jon Fleming said: "This was a remarkable team effort. We batted well and I was pleased with our total of 211, but the game was won in the field. I asked for 100 per cent from everyone and that's exactly what I got. The lads fielded brilliantly under intense pressure, with Jimmy's run out, Toby's catch and Graeme's stumping the highlights.

"Credit must go to everyone, but in particular Faisal and Graeme for playing on through injury to get the team home."

Redbourn now meet Northampton Exiles in the final on Sunday, September 14 at Shenley Cricket Centre starting at 11.30am