SHCL Division 3A: Datchworth 241-10 (53 overs) drew with Northchurch 173-9 (47 overs)

Welwyn Hatfield Times: Luke Bennett. Photo: Comet libraryLuke Bennett. Photo: Comet library (Image: Archant)

Datchworth travelled to Northchurch on Saturday for their first timed match of the season, having previously played five limited overs games in SHCL Division 3A.

Unbeaten on the road this season, Datchworth won the toss and captain Tom Bennett elected to bat first.

In a re-jigged batting order, Datchworth opened with returning Luke Bennett (24) and Owen Dwyer (11), meaning Matt Stratten (25) moved down to three.

Yet the top order failed to get off to a flying start, and after 30 overs Datchworth found themselves 91-3.

Tom Bennett came to the crease at number five, moving down from his previous spot at three where he had only managed to average 13.8 so far this season.

He seemed to finally find some form, and with Steve Stroomer (19) and David Bartlett (22) quickly upped the score to 177-6 in the next 10 overs.

Bennett (58) reached his half century, but only two balls later it appeared the confidence had gone to his head as he attempted a reverse sweep, which he has never been seen to play before in his career.

Needless to say, the middle stump went cartwheeling out the ground and the skipper had thrown away his fantastic innings to leave his side in trouble at 205-7.

For once, the Datchworth tail wagged and George Wallace (27*) quickly smashed a few boundaries to take the Villagers to 241 off 53 overs, leaving them 47 overs to bowl out Northchurch.

Datchworth opened their bowling with Wallace (1-47) and Clark (0-22), with the former getting an early scalp at 18-1.

Northchurch started to put together a reply before opener Matthew Suckling (21) was stumped off the bowling of Tom Bennett before the dismissal of Steve Bateman (0) left the hosts on 61-3.

Stephen Meager (35), Theo Gayton (39) and Mark Hobley (40) put on runs to get the hosts to 152-4, and they appeared to be cruising to victory but for a magical piece of fielding which turned the game on its head.

Off the bowling of Nitin Sahni (1-3), Michael Fisher, fielding on the boundary, launched himself backwards and one-handed plucked the ball out of the air to not only to stop a likely six but also to break up a crucial partnership.

The momentum had swung and Datchworth suddenly perked up in the field. It was apparent skipper Tom Bennett (5-43) had found some confidence through his batting, tearing through the middle order and getting his first five-wicket haul of the season.

Northchurch collapsed from 152-4, to 156-9 and victory was in sight for Datchworth.

But the final wicket partnership had other ideas, and a resolute batting display managed to see out the final seven overs to get the visitors to 173-9.

Datchworth went home with 19 points and up next for the Villagers is a game against local rivals Knebworth Park 2nds this coming weekend.