A dismal batting display resigned St Albans to an 81 runs loss to Holtwhite Trinibis at Clarence Park.

St Albans managed just 85 runs – 21 of those from extras – in their chase of 166 as they slipped to their second straight loss in Saracens Herts Division 2A.

The result means St Albans are still on -26 points after they were docked 50 at the start of the season for fielding an ineligible player last year.

It looked like the hosts could pick up their first win of the season after their bowlers restricted Holtwhite to a modest total.

Habib Younis scored 36 at the top of the order; his innings told the story of the line-up: batsmen got a start but failed to push on. Five batsmen finished in the teens while only one other, Adnam Choudary (21), made it past 20.

Sam Kindlen topped the bowling statistics with four wickets from 8.3 overs.

With their first win in sight, St Albans faltered dramatically.

Adam Hounslow (13), Henry Tyler (13), Ben Ramsey (12) and skipper Matt Howeson (18) were the only batsmen to make it to double figures as Josh Bonner (5-26) and Mufeez Faiz (3-9) tore through the line-up.