Old Owens gave themselves every chance of avoiding a relegation play-off from the Herts Cricket League Premiership with victory at home to West Herts.

The five-wicket success means they are just five points behind North Mymms and a further 10 adrift of their opponents on Saturday.

The away side had been asked to bat first and were all out for 146, the final wicket falling to the fourth ball of their 50th and final over.

Owens had blown them away early on, reducing them to 25-5 inside 12 overs.

Gregg Sumpter had kept West Herts in the game and he was the last man out having faced 155 balls and scored 57.

Brad Lane returned the best bowling figures with 3-29, just ahead of 3-40 from Robert Sibley, although Jake Whickham's 2-7 from 10 overs, six of them maidens, was just as impressive.

And the win was wrapped up in 28 overs, Owens' top scorer being Trystan Kennedy with 46, assisted by Chris Palmer (33) and Lane (31).

North Mymms meanwhile lost by 64 runs at home to Bishop's Stortford.

They fielded first on winning the toss but the visitors got to a whopping 302-8, Dharmarajsinh Jhala the best of the home bowlers with 4-69.

In reply Jakob Bhula hit 87 while Nesan Jeyaratnam got 52 but they were all out in the 48th over.