HITCHIN remain unbeaten in Saracens Herts League Division One after drawing with St Albans on Saturday. At 56-6 the Lucas Laners looked in real trouble and then at 67-6 after 32 overs the heavens opened and rain stopped play. When the game resumed only 12

HITCHIN remain unbeaten in Saracens Herts League Division One after drawing with St Albans on Saturday.

At 56-6 the Lucas Laners looked in real trouble and then at 67-6 after 32 overs the heavens opened and rain stopped play.

When the game resumed only 12 overs were left and Hitchin needed quick runs. A quick fire 34 off 32 balls from Danny Fair was just what the doctor ordered and he was suitably supported by Oliver Hammond (20), Dave Moore (22) and Simon Bayston (13) for Hitchin to end on 140-8.

In reply, Dave Moore opened the bowling from the Barleycorn End and Ashley Hammond from the Grant End.

They both bowled economically and Hammond picked up a wicket. At 58-1 with 20 overs left the game was perfectly poised. Simon Bayston came into the attack and bowled really tightly and in tandem with Dave Moore put the pressure right on the visitors.

They also took the occasional wicket and with 10 overs left St Albans needed 55 to win with six wickets in hand.

A brilliantly judged catch by Danny Fair on the boundary, off the bowling of Bayston then dismissed ex-Herts captain Nick Gilbert and with six overs left 43 were needed to win.

Dave Moore then took three wickets in his last two overs to finish with figures of 5-44 and St Albans were left needing 12 off the last over from Bayston with two wickets intact. They only managed four and the game was drawn with Hitchin taking 10 points to St Albans' eight.

On Sunday, Hitchin beat Chipperfield in the first round of the Becker Cup Plate Competition by eight wickets.

Chipperfield made 187-7 off their 45 overs with Danny Fair, Simon Bayston and John Moffatt taking two wickets a piece. Hitchin made 189-2 with John Moffatt 70 not out and Will Pugh scoring 59.