Division Three Wheathampstead 189-10 (52) London Colney 145-10 (42) Under overcast skies, Wheathampstead batted first at London Colney. After losing a quick wicket, Keith Martin and Chris Bates steadied the ship, taking the score to 35 before both succumb

Division Three

Wheathampstead 189-10 (52) London Colney 145-10 (42)

Under overcast skies, Wheathampstead batted first at London Colney. After losing a quick wicket, Keith Martin and Chris Bates steadied the ship, taking the score to 35 before both succumbed to first slip catches.

Eamonn Keane, on the back of a good 50 last week, was in prime form and was the backbone of the Wheato innings with a fine 63, while aggressive batting from Zaf Iqbal (30) and and Peter Griffiths (34) lifted the score to 160 with 10 overs to go. However, once this pair were out Wheato failed to capitalise on their position and with wickets tumbling, London Colney were no doubt pleased to contain the score to 189-10 after 52 overs. Zaman and Hadley each took four wickets for London Colney.

The new ball was taken and Nick Martin bowled his best spell of the season with real pace and lift, getting two early wickets. Despite this, Buckmaster got off to a flier, hitting six fours in four overs and kept the run rate up to five an over.

A change of bowling brought on Adam Robbins who bowled a fine away swing delivery and Buckmaster drove loosely for an edged catch to the keeper for 26. Skipper Booth (11-1-32-3) came on to bowl left-arm spin and, in combination with Keith Martin (13-4-25-3), suppressed runs and the pressure mounted on the London Colney middle order. This pair bagged three wickets each, helped by some excellent work behind the stumps by Richard Winchester, with three catches and a stumping.

Colney had slumped from 70-4 to 145-9 when Nick Martin was asked to finish the game off and he duly obliged, re-arranging the stumps to end a fine all round performance by the Wheathampstead.

l There was an equally convincing win for Wheathampstead II after they inserted County Hall II.

After the County openers Barnaby (27) and Carter (32) were out, McEwan took the next five wickets, leaving the visitors reeling. Some late resistance from Marsh (33) added a degree of respectability to the visitors' score but 143-9 at the close looked achievable. McEwan finished with his best figures for the season 15-2-72-6.

Batting was made to look easy with a welcome return to form by Peter Bush (54) and Sam Ledger with 48 leading Wheato to a six-wicket victory and 30 points.

l On Sunday, Wheato travelled to Old Owens and notched up 160 thanks to a Dave Stevens blitz, with four sixes among his 47, Simon Evans (33) and Peter Robbins (28). The final score was creditable, considering a 10-3 start.

However Old Owens got off to a good opening stand and eventually ran out winners by four wickets. It was good to see colts Jack Stevens and Jake Bavister continuing to make progress in senior cricket with a wicket apiece.