Division 13 Sawbridgeworth V 95-7 (42.0) Redbourn III 96-3 (14.5) REDBOURN III battled through the rain to beat Sawbridgeworth V and secure promotion after a spectacular campaign in Division 13. Bowling first after winning the toss, captain Jim Lee opened

Division 13

Sawbridgeworth V 95-7 (42.0) Redbourn III 96-3 (14.5)

REDBOURN III battled through the rain to beat Sawbridgeworth V and secure promotion after a spectacular campaign in Division 13.

Bowling first after winning the toss, captain Jim Lee opened with himself and Duncan Lennox and they immediately made the most of the tricky wicket as the top order were removed cheaply. At 36-5, Lennox (2 for 16) and Lee (3 for 20) were replaced by Dan Darvell and Nick Sinfield. The middle order dug in and made Redbourn work for their promotion. Darvell and Sinfield took a wicket each as Sawbridgeworth ended on 95-7 from their rain-reduced 42 overs.

The Redbourn reply got off to the worst possible start when Richard Smyth received a vicious in-swinging yorker first ball that removed his off stump. Opener Darvell was then joined by Sinfield who, aware of the threat of rain, set about the bowling attack. Sinfield was out for 49 and Darvell carried his bat with 35 not out as Redbourn reached 96 off just 15 overs.

With three matches remaining, Redbourn are 61 points clear of their nearest rivals for top spot and will be crowned Division 13 champions next week if they can secure another win.

l The Redbourn first and second team matches were cancelled due to rain on Saturday. The firsts remain 31 points clear at the top of Division Four and the seconds are 50 points off a promotion place and will need to win all four remaining games to stand a chance of leaping into fourth place.

l The Sunday XI took on Tabard Pilgrims and played out an exciting draw. Redbourn batted first and gorged themselves on some wayward Pilgrim bowling. Matt Cramer smashed a 56 ball 79 and Darren Bassill hit 66 off 54 balls. Martin Benfield and Ed Preston both hit 26 as Redbourn declared early on 255-8 off 36 overs.

Preston took the first wicket as a Pilgrim was caught fishing at a wide one. It was then spinners who did the damage with Conair Mulholland returning figures of 3 for 42, and Chris Godfrey taking 3 for 53. Toby Ascroft took two wickets, leaving the pilgrims on 180-9 but the final pair saw out the final two overs to draw the match.