St Albans Cricket Club moved a step closer to promotion from Saracens Hertfordshire Cricket League Division Two B with a 94-run win over Allenburys & County Hall.
The win keeps them on top of the pile having won 10 of their 15 games.
And with three games left they are 76 points clear of Eversholt in third and 16 ahead of Bishop’s Stortford 2nds.
A 150-run partnership between Adam Hounslow and Mbkele Mabuza formed the backbone of the success as the teams returned to the 50 over-a-side format.
Hounslow hit a season best of 92 while Mabuza finished on 52, his fifth half century of the season.
The pair batted patiently through 29 overs, picking off singles and twos with ease.
However once Hounslow departed off the bowling of David Murnane, Saints suffered a collapse losing the last eight wickets for just 51.
In the end they finished all out for 254.
Allenburys started quickly depsite losing Chris Dawson to Uttam Vijender for eight.
Mabuza’s introduction was early and it brought immediate benefit as a fine throw from Vijender ran out Phil Stevenson. Progress was steady thereafter and whilst catching chances in the deep went begging, the run rate climbed to above six an over.
The dismissal of Andrew Szeimako, lbw to Robbie Goddard, lead to the batsman throwing their bats away.
The tail was quickly mopped up by Max Capaldi who finished on 1-32. Mabuza was the top man with 3-12.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here