Ickleford were unable to capitalise on an assured batting performance at Kings Langley and fell to a six-wicket loss. After winning the toss and electing to bat on a good pitch, the visitors made a good start, reaching 50 before the loss of the first wick

Ickleford were unable to capitalise on an assured batting performance at Kings Langley and fell to a six-wicket loss.

After winning the toss and electing to bat on a good pitch, the visitors made a good start, reaching 50 before the loss of the first wicket, with skipper Duncan Jenner scoring a brisk 38 with eight boundaries.

His departure came with the score on 66, and it was left to vice-captain Tom Reilly and Ben Mason to push the score on.

The pair delivered a lesson in partnership building and added 136 before Mason holed out for a well-crafted 56.

With the score above 200 going into the last 10 overs, Ickleford were in a position to set themselves for an assault in the closing overs, batting around Reilly, who was well into his stride and giving the spinners a difficult time.

Unfortunately this did not fully materialise. Reilly was able to carry his bat for a superb 116no, featuring 17 fours and a six, in a total of 257-4 declared from 52 overs.

In response, the Kings Langley batsmen, particularly Ricardo Jadanauth, set straight into the new ball, racing to 80 from the first 10 overs with some superb shots.

With the pitch still easy to bat on and a lightning fast outfield, even an early wicket made little difference, with the home side scoring 143 before the second wicket fell.

The introduction of Pete Robinson and Reilly slowed the scoring rate, but a couple of dropped chances were well punished.

Jadanauth went on to complete his hundred, and although he was removed before the end, Kings Langley had enough momentum to push over the line.

n The seconds returned to form with a vengeance with an excellent all-round performance in beating Bushey seconds.

Ickleford chose to bat first and Mark Howard laid a good early platform with 35. Richard Peareth produced a typically hard-hit 54 and was well supported by an unbeaten 54 from Rob Horner as Ickleford amassed 241-7.

Bushey made a bold attempt to chase the total but Ickleford bowled well. Bal Kalirai led the way with 3-33 while Nick Webb took 2-33 and Horner 2-2 as Bushey were dismissed for 162.

The thirds ran into the 100 per cent league leaders in Redbourn thirds - and they proved to be as good as the stats suggested.

Despite a good bowling and fielding performance, the youthful Ickleford side could not prevent Redbourn reaching 211-9.

Joe Wellstead was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets and was well supported by Roy Izzard, John Williams and Jack Edwards.

Unfortunately the Redbourn attack was too strong and despite resistance from Ian Cheesman, Edwards and Dan Eldrett, Ickleford were dismissed for 66.