HCPL Division Two (East) St Albans 209-7 Hertford 215 – match abandoned ST ALBANS had to settle for a draw with Hertford after the rain curtailed their hopes of a welcome win. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat and despite Tom Bancroft (4) and O

HCPL Division Two (East)

St Albans 209-7 Hertford 215 - match abandoned

ST ALBANS had to settle for a draw with Hertford after the rain curtailed their hopes of a welcome win.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat and despite Tom Bancroft (4) and Oliver Ray (2) falling early on they continued to push on. Elliot King (77) and Cliff Cavener put on 102 for the third wicket before Jim Chaudry had King dismissed lbw.

Hertford skipper Chris Box had added just one to the scoreboard before he was back in the pavilion after Kris Cummins had bowled him.

Cummins was destroyer-in-chief for St Albans and with the scalps of Bancroft and Box already in his pocket he doubled his tally removing Robert Slater (0) and Richard Cordingley (14).

Jack Anderson (8) had helped edge the visitors towards the 200 mark when he was caught by Phil Caley off Chaudry and Chaudry claimed his third wicket when he removed top-scorer Cliff Cavener for 86.

Afroz Khan cleaned up the tail to end Hertford's innings on 215.

Cummins finished with figures of 4-71 while there were three wickets apiece for Khan (3-49) and Chaudry (3-50).

The Saints didn't get off to the best of starts with the bat as Matt Howeson out for one with just seven runs on the board.

Douglas Muzawazi and Matthew Barnes rectified the situation adding 57 for the second wicket before Muzawazi was dismissed lbw for 24.

Barnes continued to accelerate the scoring alongside Kyle Sharp (18) and then Caley as St Albans moved past the 100 mark.

Barnes eventually fell to the wily left-arm spin of Richard Cordingley for 59 leaving Saints hopes resting with Caley and Chaudry.

The pair took up the challenge and had taken their side to 179 when Caley (45) was run out.

Then disaster struck for the home side as Phil Dorsett and skipper Martin Jones were dismissed without troubling the scorers.

Chaudry (30no) held firm though and with wicket-keeper Ethan Fogarty (9no) looked set to lead their side to victory before the weather ended their charge.