Letchworth GC recorded their second successive victory in the Saracens Herts League at Whitethorn Lane. They overcame the weather and a disappointing Berkhamsted side to win by 135 runs. The visitors won the toss and elected to field first, but did not ge

Letchworth GC recorded their second successive victory in the Saracens Herts League at Whitethorn Lane.

They overcame the weather and a disappointing Berkhamsted side to win by 135 runs.

The visitors won the toss and elected to field first, but did not get the start they hoped for as John Hilliard and Tom Cranston added 77 for the first wicket before Cranston was bowled for 33.

Letchworth GC suffered a major blow next ball as Seb Franke-Mattheke played on off the inside edge and soon afterwards Hilliard was caught at square leg for 44.

With Simon Elliott then caught behind for nought, the innings had suddenly plunged to 90-4.

A good stand of 52 between Dave Albon (33) and Richard Walsh (24) steadied the innings, before another mini-collapse saw both of them, together with Adam Jenkins, fall in quick succession to leave the Garden City on 155-7.

They were again rescued by a good stand, this time an unbroken one of 40 between Dominic Marsh and Richard Barclay, who matched each other run for run, both finishing on 20no as they closed on 195-7 off 52 overs, two overs having been lost to rain.

In reply Berkhamsted made a slow start against some accurate seam bowling from Andy Newland and Barclay and Newland grabbed an early wicket.

However things became much more uncomfortable for the visitors with the introduction of Franke-Mattheke.

He worked up a good pace and immediately got among the wickets taking four in quick succession and also contributing a great run out, beating the batsman with a sprint to the stumps.

Marsh then got in on the act with the help of a good slip catch by skipper Cranston.

But it was Franke-Mattheke who finished off the innings by comprehensively bowling the last three batsmen to finish with 7-23 as the visitors were tumbled out for 60 to send Letchworth GC to joint top.

The second XI, with a desperately depleted attack, were never really a match for Harpenden seconds after slumping to 32-4.

Good innings from teenagers Sam Booth (49) and Tom Simmons (43), backed up by Darren Curry (22), led a recovery to 155-9, but Harpenden cruised home by five wickets with Letchworth GC lacking the firepower to stop them.

The thirds put up an excellent performance away to a strong Hemel Hempstead third XI, reaching 201-9 off 48 overs after losing 10 overs to rain. Skipper Jerry Dovey was agonisingly close to a century, being bowled for 99, and he received good support from Matt Heath (33).

Hemel finished 174-9 off their 42 overs with Dane Hirst taking 4-55 and Michael Turner 2-36.

The fourth XI recorded their first win with a comfortable defeat of Old Haberdashers seconds, scoring 234 and bowling out the visitors for 84.

Skipper Andy Catherell and Alex Wilson both made 35 while Mike Hughes made 25 and took four wickets.

The fifth team game at St Christopher School was a victim of the weather.

* Hitchin and Knebworth Park were both thwarted by the weather in the Saracens Herts League Division One.

Dave Moore from Hitchin took 5-49 in 17 overs as St Albans were all out for 113 in 34 overs. Hitchin's reply was curtailed at 9-0 in six overs.

Knebworth Park played Reed and their opponents were 51-1 off 14 overs when the match was abandoned.