Knebworth claim the worst of a draw against league leaders

Graham Fisher. Photo: Comet library (Image: Archant)

In a rain interrupted game Knebworth Park claimed the worst of a draw against leaders West Herts on Saturday.

Keagan Foley (2-33) and Graham Fisher (4-48) were the pick of the bowlers as the home team racked up a challenging 201-7 in 40 overs, not helped by some vital dropped catches.

West Herts’ Will Jones, the division’s top bowler, tore out the heart of the Park’s batting where Foley (23), Josh Roseberry (18) and Runa Arslan (25) sought to build a competitive score before all three fell when well-set.

Then the lower middle order had to work hard to salvage a draw from the contest with Duncan Visser and Ben Orchard displaying stubborn resistance as they ended on 108-8.

Having lost the toss on a humid day at the Park, the 2nds were asked to bat first by Old Elizabethans.

Despite the early loss of Ross Courtney, Mark Winchester and Adam Sergeant steadily rebuilt the innings as drinks were reached with Park on 102-1.

The duo then accelerated to extend their partnership to 194 before Winchester fell for 88.

Sergeant continued on to a richly deserved and fluently constructed century as Park eventually closed on 249-5.

In response, OE’s made good use of an excellent batting track to reach 237-3 with three overs to go.

However, a spectacular collapse then followed with Alex Richardson picking up 3-53.

OE’s only ran out winners by two wickets with two balls to spare in the end, and Park gained a very valuable 18 points from their afternoon’s efforts.

A battling batting performance ensured the 3rds were able to avoid defeat for the first time this season at Old Finchleians.

Chasing 227 for victory they were set on their way by a sparkling half-century from wicket-keeper Bobby Orlandi, who timed the ball sweetly and struck some powerful blows on his way to 56.

They were well placed as they passed the 100 mark with just three wickets down and Jonathan Cirkel (33) batting fluently, but they lost momentum with the steady loss of wickets.

Skipper Ian Pickering hit 61 to keep them in the chase but could not farm enough of the strike to mount an all-out challenge.

He saw out the innings with no.11 Catherine Cirkel who looked as composed as anyone and even scampered a welcome overthrow off the last ball to ensure they finished on 200-9 and collected the full 10 batting points.

Earlier, the returning Harvey Turner and Sean Carmody had given the bowlers some welcome control as the home side compiled 226-4.

They were helped by three straightforward chances going down but also ran well between the wickets before a sporting declaration left the Park 55 overs to chase down the runs.

Catherine Cirkel again impressed with her off-spin and U13 Jack Randall produced another steady spell, while Pickering claimed two wickets.

Knebworth 4ths notched up their first win of the season over Ickleford 3rds in a topsy-turvy encounter where the balance lurched from one side to the other.

Ickleford were looking well set at 72-2 before an amazing catch by skipper Mark Folwell helped Kunal Sharma on his way to 5-45 as the visitors slipped to 103-8.

Folwell also played a key role in taking 3-28 in 15 mean overs as did new player Greg Brewer’s 0-31.

Then Ian Cheeseman weighed in with a bold 52*, helped by skipper Mick Frankland (10) to lift them to 169, Folwell snatching another super catch to claim the 10th wicket.

Led by Richard Wheeler (52) and Chris Johnson (19) the Park set off at a rapid pace but U14 leg spinner James Redmond (5-60) bowled with commendable control in igniting a collapse from 83-1 to 100-5 before Sharma’s composed 35* and Jed Wheeler’s quickfire 21 hurried them to victory by three wickets with 12 overs to spare.