KNEBWORTH Park s challenge for the Saracens Herts League Division One title faltered when they drew at Dunstable on Saturday. They are now 18 points behind Letchworth, who they visit on Saturday. Dunstable reached 198 all out, and Park were well placed

KNEBWORTH Park's challenge for the Saracens Herts League Division One title faltered when they drew at Dunstable on Saturday.

They are now 18 points behind Letchworth, who they visit on Saturday.

Dunstable reached 198 all out, and Park were well placed for victory, needing 27 off the last three overs only to fall 11 short of victory, losing 6-25 in the late rush for runs, to end on 188-8.

Dunstable batted first and the bowling of Paul Slade for Knebworth accounted for two wickets with only 16 runs on the board when the rain forced them all off.

When the match resumed, Slade retired with a niggling injury after taking 2-15.

Robbie Keogh gave his team a platform for a high score. With Sam Cherry (10), they took the total past 50.

A magnificent catch by Ryan Skeggs dismissed Keogh for 71 with Jarrod Turner bowling. Turner's next over dismissed Boocock (39), stumped by keeper Louis Champion, leaving Dunstable on 160-5 with 10 overs left.

Shaun Robinson, playing his first league match for the first team this season, bowled in tandem with Turner and restricted the total to 198. Robinson ended with 3-46 and Turner 4-51.

Turner and Steve Gregory gave Knebworth a good start before Gregory (11) edged to Robbie Keogh with the score on 26.

Turner and skipper Tony Skeggs then continued at a steady pace before Turner was trapped lbw for 56.

Skeggs was joined by brother Ryan, but they were never allowed to push the run rate past six runs an over.

When Ryan (26) edged to keeper Keogh in the 39th over and Tony (70), was bowled in the 41st, both by Cherry, Knebworth still needed 27 runs off the last 18 deliveries.

Suicidal run-outs gifted Dunstable a couple more league points and Park finished on 188-8, 11 runs short.

Usman Chaudhary took a hat-trick in his 5-18 to help Park III's keep up their promotion hopes in Division Five by beating Bayford and Hertford. Knebworth posted 171 all out with Ian Pickering top scoring on 39.

Bayford and Hertford were all out for 142.

The fourth team made it two wins in a row beating Old Owens II's to leap four places in Division Eight.

Owens were dismissed for 109 with Guy Johnson taking 3-33.

In reply Mark Woods (46 not out) and Bret Painter (37 not out) saw Knebworth home to give them a six wicket win.

The fifths were convincing winners over high flying Reed III's.

Knebworth scored 176-8 and Reed were all out for 99 against excellent bowling from Dave Murphy and Bill Martin.

Under-14 player Michael Darlow made an impressive senior debut with an aggressive 43 in a draw for the sixth team against Watton at Stone III's.

Together with fellow under 14 James Stevens 24 not out they added 75 for the seventh wicket as Park came back from 46-6 to 133-8 at the close after dismissing the home side for 156.