In reply Adam fell caught behind to Hertford's 13 year old opener - he blamed the umpire for not giving wides! The innings was restored by Xav and Richie Sumner (46) before a middle order collapse so the score fall away. Xav completed a fine century (111) but when he went with the score on 187 so did the game. There were plenty of batsman at the bottom of the innings but they were undone by the Hertford keeper who claimed 3 stumpings and 3 catches as Fosters finished all out on 213.

The nine points gained secures 3rd place.

Fosters were asked to bat first and lots of batsmen chipped in after an early collapse which left the side on 55 for 5. Mark Viner top scored with an unbeaten 33, but was helped by Andy Stokes (23), Chirag Somechand (19), Tony Sayers (18), Matt Hillier (16), Tommy Hutton (15) and Tony Pigden (14).

In response Old Albanian were always in trouble after losing 3 early wickets thanks in the main to another great spell from Matt Hillier who finished with 4 for 46 from 21 overs. Xav (2 for 10) and Tommy Hutton (2 for 40) both chipped in with 2 wickets but Fosters were unable to secure the win which might have secured the league title. 

An absolutely vital win against local rivals Southgate Compton sees Fosters promotion chances significantly increased and Compton's looking unlikely.

Compton batted first and were quickly in trouble as one of their openers fell to the opening ball of the second over from Wellsy, whose radar for once was in early working order. The Compton innings simply was never allowed to get going and dragged on for almost the full 53 overs. Tommy Hutton finished with remarkable figures of 3 for 15 from 15 overs and Matt Hillier finished off the innings taking 3 for 35 from 20.2 overs. As well as 2 wickets from Wellsy, Tony Sayers joined the party with 2 for 13 from 6 overs.

In response Cockfosters were solid but and mostly in command thanks to 33 from Chirag and 22 from Andy Stokes. Despite a late wobble Mark Viner (3*) and Tommy Hutton (9*) saw the side home and what became quite a needly match - but understandable in the circumstances.

The efforts of the previous day to secure some covers for the square bore unexpected fruit as despite the odd shower during the day a full game finally took place at Chalk Lane this week.

Skipper Adam had decided that with inclement weather forecast around the Hertfordshire region, the tactic was to get more than 10 points - bat first, score 200, then hope for the best. As it happened he lost the toss and the side were inserted.

The plan started well as thanks to a fine return to form from Xav (78) the home side found themselves on 120 for 2. Unfortunately this was where the plan fell apart as a collapse down the order saw Fosters fall 36 runs (and therefore 6 points) short of target on 164 all out. The exertion of pulling on and off the covers taking their toll!

In response it was soon clear that pace wasn't the answer as Richard Blaby (promoted from the 4th team in place of Gregs) and Tony Sayers proved expensive. It was left to Xav and Joe Clune to exert the required pressure. Xav finished with 2 for 57 from 17 overs and Joe 3 for 39 from 18 overs. However this wasn't quite enough as the winning runs were hit with 4 wickets and 8 balls to spare.

How ironic then that all the efforts to make sure the game took place led to the same number of points (10) as would have been achieved by a no result. However it was good to see a game taking place against all the odds.

This was never enough as Cockfosters strolled home with over 14 overs to spare thanks in the main to 79 not out from Richie Sumner. He was helped along in an unbroken 116 partnership for the 3rd wicket by Andrew Stokes whose maiden 2nd team innings finished on 39 not out.

Compton's surprising defeat means that the side are now up to 2nd place and just a reasonable finish is all that is required to secure promotion.
 

Leverstock Green were always in trouble as they lost early wickets and Matt Hillier in particular had a great time taking 3 for 29 from his 14 overs, He received excellent support from Mark Sayers (1 for 24 from 15) and Scott Alexander (1 from 27 from 12) as Leverstock Green were determined to use up their allotted overs. The tail was mopped up as Tom Woodbridge took his first second team wicket of the season and Tony Sayers finished with 3 for 7 in just 2.5 overs.

Special mention to Andrew Stokes who took 3 catches behind the stumps to ensure the pressure was kept up.

In response Fosters got off to a solid start and contributions from most of the top order secured a comfortable victory. Leading run scorer James Stead scored 43, fellow opener Scott 25, Tommy Hutton 25, and it was left to skipper Adam and Richie Sumner to see us home.

A fourth win in succession sees the 2's remarkably leap up into the promotion places with a solid team effort against Old Camdenians.

The wickets were nicely shared out with Tony Sayers finishing with the best figures of 3 for 10 from 6 overs, but with excellent performances all round including Scott Alexander with 2 for 25 from 11 overs, Mark Sayers with 2 for 28 from 13 overs and James Stead finishing with 2 for 19 from just 6 overs.

In response Fosters batted solidly down the top order, with Scott again top scoring with a well made 42 and useful runs from James Stead (28), Marcus Whitmore (25), Tommy Hutton (17) and Adam Pigden (14), leaving Richie Sumner and President Chirag to see the side home.

Another welcome win for the 2's takes the team up to 5th place with a game in hand over 2 teams above them - a remarkable turn around for a team in the relegation places just a few weeks ago. Parkfield decided to bat first and soon found themselves 99 for 4 with a wicket apiece for Messrs Sayers (M), Alexander, Hillier and 'Ronnie' on his second team debut.

As the rain started to fall so did the scoring rate as Parkfield suddenly found some momentum - however some late order wickets from James Stead (3 for 32) and another for Scott soon had Fosters back on track and Parkfield declared on 196 for 8.

In response Fosters set off like a train thanks to 60 from Scott and a nice 'steady' 13 from James. Wickets then started to fall before Adam Pigden with 36 and an unbeaten 36 from Richie Sumner saw the guys home by 3 wickets.

Back to back wins for the second XI has moved the side up to 8th place in the table just 13 points off of the promotion places.

Matt Hillier with 5 for 46 and Tony Sayers with 3 for 29 did most of the damage, although a lovely spell of 1 for 67 from 19 overs from James Stead kept the innings in check as Little B Sahibs finished 200 all out from their alloted overs.

In response, after a rare failure from James Stead, it was left to Tommy Hutton (59) and Marcus Whitmore (29) to steady things, before Adam Pigden gave the selectors (of which he is one!) another timely reminder with an unbeaten 82 that saw the side home.

Continued stand in skipper Viner won the toss and wisely (after a bit of a pause for thought) decided to bat first. The team was shorn of certain key players who had decided to suffer in front of the TV and also included a debut for Chris Nickolls who was drafted in as a last minute replacement.

The deputy deputy Vice Captain Shag and Geoff went out to open and soon had the scoreboard ticking over nicely. Unfortunately both soon returned to the hutch thanks to umpires fingers. Shag looked pretty adjacent but Geoff probably got a harsh one (looked a bit leggy to all of us!) from the Home female umpire - I should say at this point to the sexist among you that this decision aside, Eileen, together with the ever dependable Richard E Grant, did not put a foot wrong all afternoon.

This included a loud caught behind shout off of incoming batsman James Stead, which could easily have been given, but probably came off the hip. James and Tom Woodbridge put on an excellent steady stand of close to 100. It was a bit slow given the predicted score required on this batsman's paradise, but nevertheless set the end of the innings up nicely. Both batsmen hit a 6 that held up play and they finished up on 43 and 38 respectively.

However the expected quick runs to take us over 200 never materialised as Mark Viner (21) and Joe Clune (12) departed when looking set and the rest of the tail end failed to wag until a bizarre unbroken stand of 15 for the last wicket between Cheesy and Gregs took the score to what we all felt was a below par 189 - but at least we had kept the league leaders out there for the full 53 overs.

An excellent tea (only missing the smoked salmon!) ensued and Fosters were back out on to the field. The old ball was flying to all parts off of Gregs although James Stead at the other end was bowling an excellent spell of 0 for 5 off of 4 overs.

The new ball was taken and almost immediately (4 balls to be exact) was damaged as 4 byes (it was a dodgy delivery from Gregs - where were the outstretched arms Mr Grant!) saw the ball clatter in to the wheels of the sightscreen. After much argument with the home skipper (and he was the only one arguing!) another new ball was taken. 2 overs later and Gregs bowled another dodgy legside delivery - this time Anthony took it but the batsman thought he'd missed it and fatally set off for a run, only to be stumped!

The other opener who had been hitting to all parts picked out Joe Clune perfectly on the boundary. Then, with the score still looking comfortable for the home side on 70 for 2 came two crucial dismissals and possibly the best fielding moments of the year - firstly the number 4 drove at Gregs only to see skipper Viner take an amazing one handed catch high to his right in the gully. Next over their number 3 bat pushed at a ball from Tom Woodbridge and called for what he thought would be an easy single, only to see James Stead swoop at cover and gun the stumps down, with the batsman not even in the picture!

Another good stand ensued that took the home side to 119 for 4 but then the wheels feel off. Firstly Tony Sayers, in the midst of an excellent spell, induced a false stroke that saw the number 6 play on and then the very next over the number 5 fell to a sharp catch from Geoff (assisted by a touch by the keeper) off of Joe Clune. Another wicket for Tony thanks to a catch at short third man from the skipper was followed by the easiest lbw decision Richard E will have to make all season off Joe Clune.

Cheesy came on to tighten the screw and having been given some gip by the batsman 'that's the way to get toasted' after he hit a 6, almost immediately induced a false shot which saw Tom Woodbridge take an excellent catch off of the skied effort to leave Geoff to perform an interesting jig and Cheesy to inform the batsman that he really had been toasted (and more beside!)

Joe Clune finished things off in the very next over by bowling the last man and a happy side headed for the showers and then the George & Dragon. An excellent all round team effort - maybe Fish will play for the 3s next week?

218 on the unpredictable Chalk Lane track looked an excellent score - Tom Woodbridge contributing a magnificent 87, with lots of contributions down the order before some late biffing at the end by Scott (25) and Wellsy (15* - including a 6 onto the football pitch).

It was not to be though as despite a fine spell of 2 for 39 from 16 overs from Scott, Fosters could not dislodge Preston's number 5 who went on to make 88 not out and win them the match.

Skipper Viner lost the toss and informed a team made up mostly of players who had played at least once for the 3rd team this season, that we were in the field on what looked like a belter of a wicket. Although it was clear that the outfield was fast early indications were good as Radlett soon found themselves at 80 for 5. An early wicket from Wellsy - a fantastic inswinger too much for the left handed opener - followed by 4 wickets from Gregs soon saw Fosters in complete command.

The innings changed though when Radlett's overseas player was spilled by James Stead when he was in his 30s - not long later Paul Bullen caught him off of Tommy Hutton on the boundary......but not before he had moved on to 95 with a succession of 4s and 6s. Even then, with the hope of restricting the score to under 200, Radlett's number 7 and 8 batsmen played sensibly and the only late success was a direct hit run out from Wellsy during a suicidal run late in the innings.

Special mentions got to Gregs - 25 overs unchanged yielding 4 for 75, and to Shag, to whom the ball seemed magnetised - he didn't look a day over 41 in the field and also came out with the interesting observation that he needed some viagra for his shirt collar. Old married couple Cheesy and Wells were their usual selves!

Radlett declared on 233 for 7 and gave Fosters 49 overs in response. Early indications were good as Tommy Hutton (42) and Shag (17) saw off the use of the old ball and quickly dented the new ball. However there followed a rattle of wickets and toy throwing batsmen as the innings subsided to 65 for 4.

Out stepped last week's hero James Stead to join Richie Sumner and they brought some respectability to the proceedings, taking the score to over 120 before Richie Sumner fell for 39 - to be quickly followed by Paul Bullen, adjudged LBW by the hard working Richard E Grant who had to stand for 100 overs at the pressure end as Radlett failed to supply an umpire.

Out strode Wellsy with a side wager with Cheesy - 2 pints riding on whether he could survive 20 balls. True to his word Wellsy promised that if he did survive that long, he would score at least 40. As it turned out he survived about 30 balls - scoring 50 (!) (serenaded from the field with a chorus of the 'Great Escape'), losing at least one ball and suddenly, when his stumps were finally clattered, Fosters needed just 33 to win with 7 overs remaining. Amidst all this carnage James Stead continued to bat beautifully at the other end and was now joined by Anthony Levy.

Over the next 4 overs the run rate rose as the batsmen kept things steady against some tight bowling, while still looking for every available run. Radlett brought on a spinner to tempt them with 3 overs to go and 7 runs came off it (including James bringing up a second successive 50) to leave 15 wanted off of the last 2 overs. Skipper Viner instructed the batsmen to go for it and James Stead duly hit Radlett's overseas player for 2 fours during the penultimate over to leave just 5 required from the last over. Another bowling change was not enough as Anthony hit the second ball though square leg for 4 and then, off the penultimate ball scampered through for the winning run thanks to a mishit and a poor throw!

A vital first win for the Second team and it couldn't have been more exciting. James Stead more than made up for his earlier drop with an incredibly mature 59 not out which, along with Wellsy's cameo knock were the key to a great run chase.

A much weakened side due to world cup and other commitments soon found themselves 29 for 6 as the whole top order were swept away. Then came an unexpected stand between Joe Clune (27) and James Stead, with a wonderful maiden second team league 50 so the score towards the relative safety of 100. Unfortunately another late clatter of wickets saw the Fosters close on a disappointing 105 all out.

Tim Haydon put in his usual display in reply taking 4 for 24 from 20 miserly overs. Despite the best efforts at the other end Boxmoor were able to reach their target but it took them a full 40 overs to do so.
 

Hitchin II shut up shop early despite the fact that the general consensus was that 168 was not going to be enough. Disappointment heightened by some contentious umpiring decisions - full match report to follow...........
 

Saturday 06/05/06 CCC drew with Letchworth II’s 119-6 Match abandoned – Rain - Adam Pigden

Roping off the square is always a difficult task, making sure the rope is not knotted, and that you have all the right poles, and know where the holes are (which is always a problem – don’t ask Dec 13 months and counting). This task is always made harder if the conditions are not perfect, and this is what forced Sam Penny to feel the wrath of Rick. Apparently the rope is to go beyond the astro-turf, and not in-front with self made indents to the sacred turf. I believe that Sam blamed the rain on poor visibility, whilst I think Mr Tebb saw it as laziness, whatever, the outcome was that the square was roped off but unfortunately incorrectly.

Earlier in the day Sam’s vision was not so impaired as he raced through Letchworth’s top order with some “Left arm Chunk” (4 wickets in total, for 27 runs) a far cry from his pre season form which was more” Left arm medium-Tebb.” Sam was backed up with some luckless bowling at the other end by 3’s captain Andy Gregory who bowled with his usual accuracy, but didn’t get the wickets he deserved, bar a superb diving catch at Slip by “The Boy” Sumner.

It was great to See Lloyd O’Geare back where he belongs – giving the finger! It must be said a marvellous performance by him, after what had to be the quote of day; “How did you know where I was?” after Xav recruited him at William Hill.

Cockfosters looked good early on and the possibility of bowling the “oppo” out for fairly little looked certain. However their middle order dug in until the heavens opened. Denying ‘Fosters any chance to make early ground, in the title chase.

The afternoon was left to watch the Badminton Horse trials, where a young lady was wearing Marcus’s favourite number, and surprisingly her Horse made a couple of refusals!!

The good news for the day though was that Compton lost and only picked up 9 points, and that Sam managed to rope off the square, after buying a “jug- avoidance jug.” Not sure what happened at Badminton, but I think a horse won it, not sure if LLoydie had backed it though.