Sandridge secure historic league title

For the first time in 17 years Sandridge CC have won a league title.

On Saturday Sandridge defeated Leverstock Green 2nds to secure the Saracens Herts League Division 4B title and achieve promotion.

On a damp, but flat surface, Sandridge skipper Paul Rothery won the toss and inserted the home side.

John Murphy and Lawrence White started accurately and White struck twice in his first five overs to leave Green 24-2.

A brief rally saw the score inch along, but the introduction of Duncan Ferguson and Dan Williams swung the match in the Ridger’s favour as key batsmen Iqbal and Mazurek were dismissed by a superb Lenny Peters run out and then a sharp catch from Oliver Llewelyn-Jenkins.

Wickets tumbled and at 67-7 and 87-9 the Ridgers sensed blood.

However, a sensible partnership of 28 for the final wicket gave Sandridge a little more to think about and left the score on 115.

With the pressure on, and the title up for grabs, skipper Rothery and Adam Temple opened aiming to make it as stress free as possible for their team and assembled supporters.

With no hint of panic the two showed their undoubted class in adding a trouble free 92 in 18 overs before the skipper Rothery (40) cut to slip.

With the title all, but secured in-form Leonard Peters, fresh off 580 runs in his last seven innings, strolled to the crease and, with a flurry of stokes, brought the scores level.

With Temple 25 not out, it was fittingly left to Peters (19 not out) to despatch a full ball for four and bring the title to Sandridge for the first time in 17 years much to the delight of all connected with the club.