Division Three Wheathampstead 177-10 (50.5) Bishop s Stortford II 178-6(48.0) WHEATO S hopes for promotion to Division Two look to have slipped through their fingers as they came up just short at Bishop s Stortford II on Saturday. Batting first Wheato

Division Three

Wheathampstead 177-10 (50.5) Bishop's Stortford II 178-6(48.0)

WHEATO'S hopes for promotion to Division Two look to have slipped through their fingers as they came up just short at Bishop's Stortford II on Saturday.

Batting first Wheato reached 100-4 after 28 overs thanks to opener Chris Martin (35) and Nick Weaver's 56.

Before Weaver succumbed via a brilliant overhead catch in the covers Wheato looked well placed to reach 200 but apart for an attacking 23 from Mark Smith runs dried up later in the innings. Wheato had to be content with 177-10 in 51 overs.

In reply, Stortford batted sensibly with their skipper going on to make a chanceless 94 not out batting through the innings. Steve Booth bowled well again for three wickets and tight bowling from Nick Weaver (two wickets) in the last 12 overs pushed the hosts.

In the end, the Wheato total proved to be 10 runs short of making a close finish as the home side got home with six balls to spare on 178-6.

Wheathampstead II fell short of the total required for victory in their Division Eight battle at home to Chipperfield II on Saturday.

Stand-in skipper Guy Wilson who invited the opposition to have a bat was pleased with the tea time score of 168-10 with Adrian Lewis (17-6-34-3) and David Dabare (7-0-26-4) doing most damage.

Wheato got off to a good start with Dillan Yogendra (31) hitting form. Dave Dabare cruised to 42 but then ran himself out which proved the turning point in the game. Although a late order rally from Shahid (12) and Trevor Smith (18) rallied Wheato's hopes the Nomanslanders crashed to 149 all out in 41 overs.

A hat trick of defeats was completed on Sunday when Wheato went down by seven wickets to the Hatters. Batting first 148-10 never looked enough runs although Dave Stevens (32) and Dan Norris (25) gave the home side some cheer. Hatters cruised home in 18 overs with Sarfraz plundering 60 runs.