SHL Division Three Wheathampstead 252-7 drew with Abbots Langley 210-5 WHEATHAMPSTEAD took the positive decision to bat first despite the overcast conditions and were rewarded with their highest score of the season in their match with Abbots Langley. A s

SHL Division Three

Wheathampstead 252-7 drew with Abbots Langley 210-5

WHEATHAMPSTEAD took the positive decision to bat first despite the overcast conditions and were rewarded with their highest score of the season in their match with Abbots Langley.

A solid knock from Nick Weaver (58), including 40 in boundaries, was eclipsed by a well crafted innings of 90 from Mark Winchester that took Wheato from 63-3 to 191-4 when Nick Weaver was lured out of his crease and stumped. Ashan Ali, making his debut, chipped in with a useful 26 to lift the score up to 252-7 after 53 overs.

Abbots cruised through 16 overs at five-an-over with Smith and Chellew batting fluently. Dave Arbuthnott paid the penalty for bowling too short but the introduction of Nick Weaver got Chellew out playing on for 38. Smith went on to make 61 and Warner at number three batted solidly to end on 65no with Abbots happy with a draw at 210-5.

Ali bowled well as his return of 14-1-45-3 showed and Wheato hope to retain the all rounder through the second half of the season to avoid a relegation dog fight. Wheato remain fourth from the bottom of the league and now have a must win game this coming Saturday against Rickmansworth.

l A strong looking Wheathampstead II struggled to come to terms with the conditions as Wheato's top order batsmen misfired.

At 47-4 David Dabare injected some positive Calypso cricket before top edging to fine leg for 29. Another three wickets fell cheaply and Wheato were looking vulnerable at 123-9. Keith Martin (64no) was joined by Nick Martin (28) and the pair put on 72 for the last wicket as Wheato finished on 195-10.

The story of the Langlebury innings was all about Dave Tree who claimed all the six wickets that fell. Young Kristian Martin batted well for 18 and Crawley batted aggressively but fell short of his half century when bowled of an inside edge.

Ten overs were lost to rain that killed the game and resulted in a draw.