HCPL Division Two (East) St Albans 210-9 lost to Sawbridgeworth 213-7 by three wickets ST ALBANS losing streak stretched to three games as they were beaten at Sawbridgeworth at the weekend. The home side won the toss and elected to field and Sawbo captai

HCPL Division Two (East)

St Albans 210-9 lost to Sawbridgeworth 213-7 by three wickets

ST ALBANS' losing streak stretched to three games as they were beaten at Sawbridgeworth at the weekend.

The home side won the toss and elected to field and Sawbo captain Danny Wilson looked to have been rewarded for his decisison with two early wickets.

Paul James was the man who caused the damage removing Jim Chaudry (0) and Dan Nicholls (4).

Matthew Barnes and Kyle Sharp steadied the ship for the Saints putting on 92 runs for the third wicket before Sharp was trapped lbw by Ryan Cunningham shortly before lunch.

Barnes didn't let this setback deter him and he continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over for the visitors.

Barnes reached 90 from 150 balls and incluidng 14 fours before he was dismissed by a catch in the deep from James. It proved to be the game's turning point and Ben Ramsay (16) and Phil Caley (0) soon followed Barnes back to the pavilion giving Michael Burrell his first two victims.

This spurred the Sawbo bowler on and he claimed the scalps of Douglas Muzawazi (4), Saints skipper Martin Jones (18) and Kris Cummins (0).

Richard O'Toole (29no) and Ethan Fogarty (4no) helped the visitors to 210-9 from their allotted overs.

Burrell finished with figures of 5-42.

The Saints began their spell in the field in good form, with the home side not reaching double figures until the eighth over, however, they were unable to find the vital breakthrough.

James Runciman struck successive fours off Cummins and never looked back as he went on to score 75 before being dismissed by Chaudry.

William Jones (13) and Phil Marhsall (1) both fell to Cummins but a resolute 64 from Sawbo skipper Wilson put the home side well in contention.

Wilson was eventually trapped lbw by Chaudry but 16 from Dean Chisnall and 26no from Burrell put the home side on the verge of victory.

Ramsay bowled Chisnall and claimed the scalps of Steve Ashman (4) and Matt Birch (1) as the home side wobbled but Burrell and Simon Greenall (5) saw Sawbridgeworth home.

l The II were held to a draw by Ickleford at Clarence Park on Saturday. The visitors made 236-9 while the Saints ended on 210-5.