Hemel Hempstead 200-9 drew with Redbourn 32-3 – match abandoned due to rain RAIN came to the aid of Redbourn for the second time this season after they were struggling to match a strong Hemel Hempstead side in the top-of-the-table clash. Redbourn lost

Hemel Hempstead 200-9 drew with Redbourn 32-3 - match abandoned due to rain

RAIN came to the aid of Redbourn for the second time this season after they were struggling to match a strong Hemel Hempstead side in the top-of-the-table clash.

Redbourn lost the toss and were asked to bowl first but despite early wickets from Jon Fleming and Ahmed Jamal, struggled to maintain any real pressure on the Hemel batsmen who were able to score freely from the word go.

The introduction of spinners Chris Godfrey and Faisal Khan did slow the rate down but at the halfway stage Hemel were well placed at 90-2 and would have been looking at a score of well over 200.

With 20 overs remaining Fleming was brought back into the attack and bowled a tight line and took regular wickets to ensure that Hemel were not able to break away and returned figures of 4-62 from 18 overs, a welcome return to form.

Jamal also returned late on to take three more wickets but a 21-run last wicket partnership, including a six from the final ball, took Hemel to 200 and a full set of batting points.

Redbourn knew that they would have to bat well if they were going to challenge the Hemel total but at 32-3 from 16 overs were in deep trouble and well behind the run rate when heavy and persistent rain brought an early end to the contest.

Hemel earned 13 points to Redbourn's 10 to move them one point ahead in what is turning out to be a very close title race. Letchworth lead on 311, followed by Hemel also on 311, Redbourn on 310 and Totteridge, who Redbourn travel to on Saturday, a further point behind on 309.

REDBOURN II survived an early scare to post a good total against Flamstead before rain washed out the Division Seven match.

Batting first, Redbourn were in danger of an embarrassing collapse after opening bowlers Rose and Wilkinson had removed the top five batsmen for just 36 runs.

Jimmy Spiers (41) took the total over 100 with help from Darren Bassill (27). When Michael Dobson fell for 17 in the 33rd over with the score at 142-8 Flamstead were expecting to roll over the last two wickets then smash off the small total before the rain came.

Matt Gibbs and Dan Darvell had other ideas as they took the attack to Flamstead.

Racking up a partnership of 98 they had reached 236-8 at the end of the 53rd over, Gibbs 51no and Darvell 45no.

In reply only 13 overs were possible, Flamstead 57-1 with Brownlie not out on 33.

REDBOURN III managed the club's second tie of the season when they were bowled out for 120, the identical score to that earlier posted by Old Owens III.