SHL Division Three Wheathampstead 90 lost to Waltham X Rosedale 93 by three runs FOLLOWING the heavy rain on Friday it was always going to be a tricky batting wicket that made winning the toss vital. The Waltham X Rosedale skipper called correctly and the

SHL Division Three

Wheathampstead 90 lost to Waltham X Rosedale 93 by three runs

FOLLOWING the heavy rain on Friday it was always going to be a tricky batting wicket that made winning the toss vital. The Waltham X Rosedale skipper called correctly and the up hill battle began. Only Chris Martin with a dogged 24 offered any resistance as the batsmen inevitable found shot making a difficult task.

Wheato slumped to 23-5 before skipper Zaf Iqbal offered some support with 17 to lift the score to 60. Thereafter the spin pair of Gentle and Parmar tormented the lower order with excessive spin and lift that was at times unplayable.

Wheato finished on 90-10 and promptly searched the skies for the promised thunder storms.

It was not to be - Waltham X Rosedale went out to bat before tea and to the fielding sides credit did really well to take five wickets for 46 runs.

Excellent fielding with running catches by Richard Winchester at cover and Nick Martin at mid-wicket followed by the elder statesman Keith Martin's diving catch at backward square leg gave some hope of a surprise victory.

However tea intervened and the pressure built up was lost and a rejuvenated Patel (16) and Phillips (30) batted positively to ensure a 5 wicket win. Nick Weaver took 4-39 off 11 overs.

"We were robbed" came the cry from WCC II skipper Tim Kiek after what looked like a certain win was denied by the thunder storms.

Wheato had bowled out bottom side Elstree for 117 with Steve Booth bamboozling the Elstree batsmen with his left arm spin (15-3-26-6). He was well supported by Jimmy McEwen with 3-23 off 10 overs.

When the rain came down Wheato were sitting comfortably at 56-1 off 12 overs with Lozza Garland on 20* and Todd Houlahan on 14* but had to be content with 10 points for the abandoned game.

As a result Wheato slipped back to third place in the league.

Wheathampstead Sunday XI's match with Myddleton House reverted to the all weather wicket as heavy overnight rain threatened to cancel the fixture. The decision made for one of the most exciting games of cricket seen at Nomansland for many a year. The visitors batted first and went on to score a daunting 234 off 40 overs.

Jack Stevens came of age with an excellent spell of off spin bowling to claim six wickets of his allotted overs supported by a mixed bag of catching.

Wheato batted steadily at the start with Andy Alexander producing his best score of 42 with some lofty hits over square leg.

Steve Booth batted quietly but effectively for 34 to help the score line on to 80 off 18 overs before clipping a cut shot to gulley.

The pace needed picking up and the Robbins father and son combo started the recovery. Peter Robbins hit a quick 11 before succumbing but the partnership kept Wheato in the chase.

Adam Robbins then proceeded to blitz the Myddleton House bowlers with his maiden 100 off only 18 overs including one of the biggest 6's seen this season. When Adam Robbins was out the game was well and truly set up and Simon Evans (18) maintained the run rate.

It eventually came down to the final over with Wheato needing six runs to win - five singles were taken off the first five balls. Finger nails were being chewed around the ground as Alan Bates set himself for the final delivery and a run needed for victory. The Myddleton House bowler to his credit held his nerve and bowled one right in the block hole. A swipe for glory was missed and the clunk of toppled bails signalled that the game had incredibly been tied on 234 apiece.