Sandridge battle to avoid defeat

SANDRIDGE had to battle for a draw away at Old Elizabethans in Division Five of the Saracens Herts League on Saturday.

Division Five

Old Elizabethans 252-5 (47) Sandridge 147-7 (53)

Northwood II 134-10 (52.1) St Albans West Indian 135-5 (39.5)

SANDRIDGE had to battle for a draw away at Old Elizabethans in Division Five of the Saracens Herts League on Saturday.

OEs elected to bat first and smashed 252-5 off 47 overs. Sandridge were faced with a daunting chase but dug in well to finish on 147-7 off 53 overs to secure the draw.

l Greenwood Park based outfit St Albans West Indian recorded their first win of the new campaign as they struck out hosts Northwood II in Division Five.

The Windies won the toss and promptly dismissed Northwood for 134. In reply, the visitors needed 39.5 overs to record a five wicket win on 135-5.

l In Division Nine, Sandridge II got their season up and running after their first match was cancelled with a home win against Potters Bar IV.

Putting the visitors in, SCC made early inroads thanks to Dharam (3-46) and David Camm (2-30) before PB rallied. The return of David Allen to the attack brought a swift conclusion to the innings as when he picked up 5-37 as PB were all out for 175.

The SCC reply could not have had a worse start and at 56-6 they were staring at defeat until Dharam joined Dylan Hubble at the crease. The pair made a mockery of that position, putting on a stand of 121 with some careful accumulation then some big hitting to see the village side home with 13 overs to spare.

Hubble finished on 49 not out and Dharam 60 not out to pick up the Man of the Match award as the season started in the best possible way.