Rajendran can’t save the day for St Albans

ST ALBANS first XI suffered their first defeat of the season with a largely unconvincing showing against Langlebury.

At a parched Clarence Park the St Albans top order wilted except for contributions from Luke Edwards (30) and Jonathan Smithers (26). But, once again, Alex Rajendran coming in at a lowly number seven rescued the innings before being left high and dry on 76*. In defence of 195, St Albans reduced Langlebury to 35-3 but a middle-order resurgence meant the Saints fell to a four wicket loss.

The IIs lost by six wickets despite setting Old Owens a challenging 219 to win. Phil Dorsett (41) and Grant Carveth (34) put on 86 for the first-wicket before Dorsett ran himself out in bizarre fashion. St Albans were further set back by umpiring decisions which did not have the benefit of technology, before Sandipan Chanda made an elegant 65*. Their defence was dealt an immediate blow when opener Nathan Stamp pulled a hamstring in his third over and the innings did not improve thereafter.

The IIIs also went down to a defeat to Tewin despite an outstanding all-round contribution from Richard O’Toole. After shovelling his way to 41 in an innings which helped lift the Saints to 162, he then took 5-61 as St Albans made significant but ultimately insufficient inroads into the Tewin tail.

The IVs managed to sneak a draw against Hertingfordbury thanks to a heroic 10th wicket resistance. They were set a daring 227 to win despite another four wicket haul from Christian Hay and two wickets from John Little. St Albans were soon reduced to 90-9 before Jamie Ashton (33*) and 13-year-old Jack Ypey (17*) batted for 15 overs to save the game.