WHEATHAMPSTEAD bounced back to winning ways with a final ball victory at home to Kings Langley in Division Three. The visitors opted to bat first and looked to post a big score

Division Three

Kings Langley 204-9 (53) Wheathampstead 208-9 (47)

WHEATHAMPSTEAD bounced back to winning ways with a final ball victory at home to Kings Langley in Division Three.

The visitors opted to bat first and looked to post a big score when D. Houghton (37) and K. Rolfe (48) put on an opening stand of 106. The pace bowlers found the going hard on a good batting track and it was not until Hashmi and Zaf Iqbal were brought on to bowl that the tide started to turn in Wheato's favour. Hashmi took four wickets in his first two overs for 0 runs and ended with figures or 6-2-19-4. Iqbal (14-2-31-3) bowled tightly and runs dried up but KL batted well (G Pinchin 26 not out) in the last 10 overs putting on 50 runs to post a total of 204-9.

Wheato's reply started well with Hashmi bagging a quick fire 28. Chris Martin (40) and Nick Weaver (49) then put on 69 for the second wicket to set the foundation for the run chase. Iqbal batted sensibly for his 24 and his partnership with Peter Bush proved crucial. Bush attacked the bowling from the start and his 44 runs including two huge sixes set up the win. However with the score on 203 Wheato lost three quick wickets and nerves started to jangle. A great finale was assured and Dave Tree hit a winning four off the last ball to secure the 30 points on 208-9.

In Division Eight, Wheathampstead II skipper Lawrence Garland was happy to ask hosts Wormley II to bat first on a good track.

Wormley slipped to 39-3 with Adrian Lewis' away swing bowling proving miserly. Wormley briefly responded until Adam Robbins bowled a sizzler to spark a caught behind before Wormley battled on from 98-8 to post 148 all out. Tim Kiek took four excellent catches behind the stumps. Adrian Lewis (14-2-42-3) and Ibra Walayat (15-9-22-4) were the pick of the bowlers.

Wheato never looked in trouble on the run chase with Ibra Walayat 39 scoring freely during an opening partnership of 93. Keith Martin went on to make 81 not out as Wheato cantered home in 34 overs for an easy win.

On Sunday WCC entertained Frogmore and completed a hat trick of wins for the weekend. Batting first WCC scored 238-9 with a welcome return to form for Sam Ledger (86) and newcomer David Dabare (40) punishing the Frogmore bowlers. A middle order collapse was halted by skipper Peter Robbins (17) and a hard hit 34 not out from Tom Weaver. Frogmore were always on the back foot with Shahid's early wickets (7-0-15-3) and Simon Evans (5-0-18-2). First team skipper Steve Booth (5-0-10-4) also bowled well and only Money (56 not out) offered any resistance as Frogmore were dismissed for 96.