Letchworth once again suffered from a lack of penetration as they failed to bowl out Langleybury at Whitethorn Lane. This was despite having the visitors six wickets down with 20 overs to go. Earlier, Colin Letford had won the toss and decided to bat on a

Letchworth once again suffered from a lack of penetration as they failed to bowl out Langleybury at Whitethorn Lane.

This was despite having the visitors six wickets down with 20 overs to go.

Earlier, Colin Letford had won the toss and decided to bat on a well-grassed wicket.

Langleybury's opening attack of veteran Paul O'Reilly and England under-19 star Stephen Finn posed plenty of problems.

But John Hilliard continued his good form, making 48 out of an opening stand of 58 before being bowled.

Richard Walsh went cheaply before Steve March joined Simon Elliott in taking the score into three figures before Elliott was bowled for 28.

Two more wickets fell quickly and then Tom Cranston joined March in a stand of 51.

March was bowled for an excellent 70 but Cranston (27) helped Letchworth to maximum batting points as they reached 201-8 off their 53 overs.

Success for Letchworth depended on dismissing Langleybury's Pakistan A star Shazad Malik and things looked bleak as he raced to 48 out of 64 in quick time.

But then he misjudged a drive off Andy Newland and was superbly caught by Richard Barclay on the long on boundary.

Any ambitions Langleybury had of winning the game evaporated at this point and they concentrated solely on survival.

At one point they played out 11 consecutive maidens to finish on 114-8!

Richard Jerome finished with 4-33, Stewart Roberts 2-12 and Newland, who took the brunt of Malik's attack, 2-56.

The second team's batting was back in form by reaching 258-6 at Botany Bay.

There were major contributions from Rob Cornell (65), skipper Graham Bishton (53), Jonno Gordon (51no) and Anush Newman (30).

But they were also unable to force a win as the home side closed on 231-7.

The third XI scored 176-9 at Kings Langley 2nds with skipper Jerry Dovey making 45 but the home side comfortably reached a five-wicket win.

But the fourth XI had an emphatic win at Chorleywood 3rds, Bavin Aujla (5-35) and Eddie Smith (4-32) dismissing the home side for 133 before a fine 81 from Sam Williams took Letchworth to a six-wicket win.

And the fifth team moved into second place in Division 13 with a seven-wicket win at their Sawbridgeworth counterparts.

Alex Wilson took 4-22 as the home side were dismissed for 125 before another top innings from Darren Curry (80no) steered the visitors to victory.

* Letchworth's Development XI had an excellent win over Chorleywood on Sunday.

Chorleywood scored 199 with skipper Dan Burley taking 3-17.

Simon Edwards gave Letchworth a good start with 48, but they seemed in trouble at 150-7 before Andy Bailes (27no) and Vikram (39no) steered them to a three-wicket win.

* Letchworth Ladies returned to winning form with an emphatic victory over Hampshire side Rowledge.

They were put into bat and their openers made a solid start.

Julie Clarke and Vikki Borman then set about the bowlers with a partnership of 120 for the second wicket.

Clarke was caught behind for 77 and Borman top scored on 78 as the innings closed at 223.

Rowledge found it difficult to score at the required five an over, especially when they lost opener Robinson in the seventh over. When Wright was bowled by Borman, the run rate began to slip away.

All the bowlers took wickets, including Berry taking her first ever wicket, knocking over Gniotek's middle stump.

Rowledge fought hard to bat out their full overs but were eventually all out in the 39th over for 129.