Datchworth were one wicket away from securing victory against Parkfield and Headstone in the Saracens Herts League Division Five. After choosing to bat, Richard Archer and John Wells put on 49 for the first wicket. Number three Darren Croucher retired hur

Datchworth were one wicket away from securing victory against Parkfield and Headstone in the Saracens Herts League Division Five.

After choosing to bat, Richard Archer and John Wells put on 49 for the first wicket.

Number three Darren Croucher retired hurt after making a useful 21, before Archer (61) and Groves took the score to 121.

Steve Stroomer then went after the bowling, scoring a quick 26 to boost the rate.

The final three overs produced 30 runs as Groves finished 48no before the declaration at 204-3.

Parkfield chased the runs throughout the innings, and with regular wickets falling it looked to be Datchworth's day.

Matt Budd took 3-41 and Stroomer 3-21 but with one wicket needed in the final over, Parkfield held out for a draw at 174-9.

Chasing just 138 to win against Sawbridgeworth seconds, Ickleford slumped to 113 all out in Division Three.

But their seconds put in another impressive performance with a clinical victory over Datchworth seconds.

Datchworth chose to bat first and were always struggling as Ickleford bowled well.

Tom Walker made the early breakthroughs and was well supported by Roy Izzard. Walker went on to take 3-43 in 10 overs.

Scott Crouch then had remarkable figures of 11 overs, eight maidens, 2-6 with just three scoring shots.

Darren Seaby then mopped up the tail with 4-32 in nine overs as Datchworth were 110 all out.

In reply, Kevin Shinner was impressive making light of difficult conditions with 58no as Ickleford romped home by eight wickets. Good support came from Jack Edwards with 29 and Steve Schumann 24.

The thirds had the best of a draw with Datchworth thirds.

Good bowling from Andy Draper (4-28) and Reece Pybus (3-39) helped Datchworth to bowl out a strong Ickleford side for just 122. Danny Hattam picked up 2-3 to clean up the tail.

Gary Cullerton was the mainstay with a well-struck 53. Ian Cheesman with 16 was the other main contributor.

Galen Sherred was the pick of the bowlers with 5-31 from an unchanged spell of 22 overs.

John Williams took 3-23 but the game finished in a tame draw as Datchworth made no attempt to win the match and finished adrift on 82-8.

Baldock (133 all out) crashed to defeat against Old Elizabethans (195 all out) in Division Five.