Sandridge opened the 2014 season with a comfortable six-wicket win over St Albans 2nds at Spencer Meadows.

Stand-in skipper John Murphy won the toss and chose to bowl first on a dry and flat early May wicket. Saints got off to a good start, moving to 44 without any real alarms.

Murphy picked up two wickets in consecutive balls and Lawrence White, who bowled an impressive opening spell, secured a wicket in the next over.

Wickets continued to fall at a regular rate, in particular when a jet-lagged Lennie Peters was introduced. A comedy run-out ended the inning at 114.

In reply, Paul Rothery and Adam Temple got the ‘Ridgers off to an energetic start before a partnership of 75 between Ian Merryfield (38) and Peters (38) saw Sandridge within sight of victory.

Duncan Ferguson smashed the winning runs with plenty of over to spare.

Next weekend Sandridge visit Dunstable 2nds.