Division Four North Mymms II 207-7 (53.0) Redbourn 148-7 (47.0) REDBOURN failed to make it seven wins in a row with a disappointing performance against North Mymms II on Saturday. Mymms won the toss and chose to bat first.

Division Four

North Mymms II 207-7 (53.0) Redbourn 148-7 (47.0)

REDBOURN failed to make it seven wins in a row with a disappointing performance against North Mymms II on Saturday.

Mymms won the toss and chose to bat first. Opening bowlers Jon Fleming and Dan Thatcher bowled well but a dropped catch at slip gave Mymms the start they required. The breakthrough came from another excellent stumping by Gary Sandford off the bowling of Dan Thatcher, with the score on 38.

Darren Bassill then instigated a fine run out and, with Thatcher's accurate spell (2 for 35 off 13 overs) rewarded with another wicket, Mymms had fallen to 73 for 3.

Skipper Roe brought Fleming (1 for 39) back into the attack and this was to bring immediate success, courtesy of another Sandford leg-side stumping. At 84 for 4, Redbourn had the opportunity to take control but Mymms fought back, with a 104 run fifth-wicket stand.

Off spinner Faisal Khan bowled a marathon 21 over spell but he was to have no luck, as he saw three dropped chances off his bowling. Ben Roe picked up two wickets in two balls, only for an unbeaten 89 from Azam, to guide Mymms to 208-7 from their allotted 53 overs.

At tea, Redbourn were confident of chasing down the total. Their reply started well enough with openers Simon Osman and Chris Yorath posting 43 for the first wicket in 13 overs.

Yorath fell for 20 and Osman was soon to follow for 28. Dan Roe looked in fine form but when he was caught in the covers for 30, Redbourn collapsed from 85-2 to 100-7.

Even though this Redbourn side possesses a long batting line up, the win was well beyond the reach of impressive duo Ben Roe (16 not out) and Darren Bassill (31 not out). Redbourn ended well short on 148 for 7 and gained eight points from the drawn match. Skipper Roe said: "I couldn't ask much more of our bowlers today and the ground fielding was of a good quality. However, our failure to take catches has probably allowed Mymms to score 20 or 30 more runs than they should have.

"Our top three all got starts, but none of us went on to make a 70 or 80 that would have put us in control. On a positive note, we remain top of the league and we're looking forward to our next match against Radlett III."

Redbourn II hosted Hexton in Division Seven and for the second week in a row secured a dramatic victory.

Batting first, Redbourn openers Dave Smith and Jamie Doherty (31) made a steady start that was continued by skipper Antony Mauder. Smith fell for 61 and Mauder (34) quickly followed. Contributions from Chris Godfrey (30), Geoff Bartlett (20), and Graeme Smyth (15) ensured Redbourn reached 224 for 9 off 53 overs.

In reply, Hexton opener Sam Marshall hit some powerful early strokes but a wicket for opening bowler Pete Cridland and a run out kept the game balanced. A wicket for Martin Benfield brought M. Smith to the crease and, at 199 for 3, requiring 26 to win from 10 overs. they had the game won.

Cridland and Benfield returned to try and get some consolation points but an increase in swing made Cridland almost unplayable. He removed Marshall for 84 then Smith for 78. Benfield (2 for 50) took a further wicket and suddenly it was Redbourn going for the win. There were three balls left when Cridland took the final wicket to win the match and finish with figures of 6 for 56. Hexton were dismissed for 216.

Opener Jack Dyer (21) batted well after Redbourn III were asked to bat by Shenley Village IV in Division 13.

John Pritchard and Dennis Gibbs scored 24 apiece before Redbourn were all out for 163 in the 38th over.

Redbourn bowled well, with Dan Darvell (3-38) and Jim Lee (3-44) impressing, supported by George Naismith who took 2 for 9 from five overs. Shenley Village were bowled out for 144 in 46 overs.