Division Three Waltham X Rosedale 229-5 (51.0) London Colney 192-6 (49.0) LONDON Colney had to battle the odds to emerge without defeat as they took Division Three title chasers Waltham X Rosedale on Saturday. Colney were again below full strength

Division Three

Waltham X Rosedale 229-5 (51.0) London Colney 192-6 (49.0)

LONDON Colney had to battle the odds to emerge without defeat as they took Division Three title chasers Waltham X Rosedale on Saturday.

Colney were again below full strength and skipper Matt Bristow lost the toss. Waltham Cross went on to post 229-5 off 51 overs thanks to an emphatic knock of 134 from Gentle. Earlier Uzman Zaman (1-41) and Simon Fretter (2-14 from 13 overs) had sent down good opening spells to reduce the home side to 21-3.

As the skies darkened Colney found themselves bowling with a wet ball at the end of the innings, and Rosedale's batsmen were able to take advantage of the loss of control to add a late charge that took them up to 229-5, with the declaration coming two overs early.

Colney needed a good start to the reply and hopes were soon washed away as five top order wickets went down relatively cheaply. Only Phil McLaughlin (23) and Ady Fisher (21) managed starts.

Tony Holloway (66) and Adam Stuart, with an undefeated 57 saved the game for Colney, adding 109 for the sixth wicket, and eventually lifting them to 192-6, but after the poor start there was never much chance of a successful run chase, and Colney had to settle for the draw. Colney Skipper Matt Bristow said: "To be honest, the losing the toss was important today. The side batting first was always going to have an advantage, and as it turned out, they were able to take advantage of some difficult bowling conditions exactly when they needed them, at the end of their innings.