A middle order collapse condemned Letchworth Garden City to defeat at old rivals Bishop s Stortford on Sunday in the Cockspur Cup. This was after they had fought back well in the field after a bad start. Stortford won the toss and batted and raced to 100

A middle order collapse condemned Letchworth Garden City to defeat at old rivals Bishop's Stortford on Sunday in the Cockspur Cup.

This was after they had fought back well in the field after a bad start.

Stortford won the toss and batted and raced to 100 quickly with wickets in hand, but the introduction of leg spinner Adam Jenkins put the brakes on. In an excellent spell of nine overs he took 3-25 and with Seb Franke-Mattecke also grabbing two wickets, they restricted the home side to 197-8 off their 45 overs.

Unfortunately an injury to Richard Walsh while fielding meant he could not bat and the top order had to be reshuffled.

John Hilliard and Simon Elliott made a good start and when Franke-Mattecke came in he took the attack to the home side with a quickfire 43, receiving good support from Tom Cranston (30).

They took the score to 90-2 and in with a good chance of victory. However, wickets then started to fall and the innings eventually subsided to 152 and defeat by 45 runs.

Things might have been different if Walsh had been able to bat in the top order, but it was still a disappointing result although there were positives to take into this week's first league game at home to Dunstable.

Saturday's league results were more encouraging with two wins and a draw.

At Whitethorn Lane, the second XI were also playing Bishop's Stortford and they registered a comfortable victory.

Winning the toss, Simon Elliott put the visitors in and was rewarded by an excellent performance from his bowlers as they restricted the visitors to 132-9 off their 53 overs.

There were good bowling performances from Dominic Marsh (4-38), Darren Curry (3-41) and Richard Barclay (2-44).

Letchworth GC then made light of the target. An opening stand of 88 between Elliott (66) and Tom Simmons (29) set them on the way and they cruised home by seven wickets with 16 overs to spare.

The third XI also had a comfortable win at Fairfield against Welwyn GC thirds. Batting first after being put in, they reached 185-6 with Matt Bridge making 55 and Tom Morse 49no before Dane Hirst's leg breaks won the day as his five wickets helped dismiss the visitors for 138.

The fourths had a dour draw at Abbots Langley thirds, bowling the home side out for 155, but being restricted to 116-6 in reply with only Rob Booth (40) looking confident.

The fifth team's game with Watton-at-Stone was cancelled due to a wet pitch at St Christopher School.

The Sunday second team made a winning debut in The Broadview Windows North Herts League at fellow newcomers Bramfield.

Josh Furness (72), Darren Curry (49) and Chris Hughes (46) led the way as Letchworth GC reached 207-5 off their 40 overs.

Bramfield never looked in the game as they struggled to 70-9 with Matt Bridge taking three wickets.

* Hitchin lost by 33 runs to Southgate in the National Cockspur Cup on Sunday.

Craig Millwood won the toss at Southgate's Walker Ground and elected to field first.

Southgate made 235-9 off their 45 overs with Dave Moore taking 4-32 and Ian Bowyer 2-26. In reply, Hitchin were all out for 202 with Jimmy Lewis top scoring with 62no.

This Saturday they entertain Reed in their first league game of the season.

Hitchin seconds lost by four wickets at home to Hatch End.

They made 167 all out with Scott Marshall scoring 35 and Ben Thomson 34. Hatch End reached their target with 14 overs to spare with Steven Flint taking three wickets.

Their thirds won by 133 runs away at Ware seconds.

Hitchin made 177-7 thanks to Tim Porter (59) and Gavin Bidgood (47). Ware were 44 all out with Ian Goddard starring with the ball by taking 5-7 off his 11 overs.