The North Herts Cricket League is celebrating its 25th season in 2007. Stevenage firm Broadview Windows are continuing to support the league which started in earnest on Sunday. There are 18 teams in two divisions – Cricketers and St Joseph s have folded b

The North Herts Cricket League is celebrating its 25th season in 2007.

Stevenage firm Broadview Windows are continuing to support the league which started in earnest on Sunday.

There are 18 teams in two divisions - Cricketers and St Joseph's have folded but Lilley have joined.

Ickleford and Reed have been promoted to Division One with Breachwood Green now in Division Two.

There will be vacancies for clubs to join the league for the 2008 season.

Any interested clubs should call chairman John McKean on 01462 682943.

Last season's champs Holwell proved too strong for the 2006 runners-up Luton and Houghton Town.

Holwell rattled up 267-5 with Dixon Franchua making an unbeaten 57, Steve Paola 54no, Adam Parkins 50 and Nigel Pointing 47.

Houghton were all out for 126 in reply with Franchua taking 3-20 and Orville Batson 2-18.

Baldock snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in a 15-run loss to Great Gaddesden.

Gaddesden were 117-9 off 40 overs after an excellent bowling performance with Logan Newman taking 3-11, Alistair Jones 2-28 and Ben Diplock 2-28.

Their reply was initially excellent with James Peacock (34) and Mark Lafferty (23) taking them to 67-1.

But an astounding collapse against accurate bowling saw Baldock lose their last nine wickets for 35 runs!

Results

Sunday, April 29

Division One: Baldock 102 all out lost to Great Gaddesden 117-9, Holwell 268-5 bt Houghton Town 126 all out, Offley and Stopsley 239-7 lost to Ickleford 242-3, Reed 172 all out lost to Hatfield 278-3, Therfield 133 all out lost to Crawley Green Nomads 213-9.

Division Two: Datchworth v Breachwood Green (result not received), Rosslyn 123 all out lost to Graveley 146-7.

FIXTURES

Sunday, May 6

Division One: Crawley Green v Holwell, Great Gaddesden v Hatfield, Ickleford v Therfield and Kelshall, Luton and Houghton Town v Offley and Stopsley.

Division Two: Graveley v Weston, Lilley v Datchworth, Titanic v Rosslyn.