SHL Division Seven Redbourn II 228 drew with Old Finchelians II REDBOURN IIs were narrowly thwarted by Old Finchelians IIs in Division Seven. Having been put into bat Redbourn s batsmen were given specific instructions by skipper Antony Mauder to play

SHL Division Seven

Redbourn II 228 drew with Old Finchelians II

REDBOURN IIs were narrowly thwarted by Old Finchelians IIs in Division Seven.

Having been put into bat Redbourn's batsmen were given specific instructions by skipper Antony Mauder to play themselves in on the damp wicket.

Opener Chris Dobson couldn't have been listening as he smashed two 6s in the first over.

Dobson quickly reached his 50 off 40 balls and fell for 70 off 58.

Jack Dyer (15) gave initial support and after several wickets fell Mauder (22) produced a test match steadying innings in partnership with Jamie Doherty (39).

When both fell in consecutive overs the innings stuttered from 176-4 to 184-7.

Geoff Bartlett (20) ensured a decent final total with late help from Martin Benfield, Redbourn all out in the 53rd over for 228.

Redbourn got off to a flying start in the field with Nathan Ascroft (3-33) ripping through the top order in his first four overs, including OFs number three, who had scored a century the week before, for a golden duck.

Dobson took a low catch at gulley off Benfield, and an outstanding pick up and throw by Matt Gibbs delivered a run out to bring OFs to their knees at 65-5.

At 167-6 and only six overs remaining a draw seemed inevitable until Toby Ascroft took a catch off Darvell, followed by a wicket for Benfield (2-35) and another for Pete Cridland.

However with two overs remaining OFs held on for a draw.

Skipper Mauder said, "Obviously we were going for the win but 19 points isn't bad either.

"More importantly the game was played in a terrific spirit by both teams, if we don't achieve promotion it will be a pleasure to play OFs again next season.