Neither side came out of Letchworth s league encounter at St Albans with much credit. Colin Letford lost the toss and St Albans not surprisingly elected to bat on a sweltering day Letchworth started well with Andy Newland (2-63) and Ben Cottenden (2-55) b

Neither side came out of Letchworth's league encounter at St Albans with much credit.

Colin Letford lost the toss and St Albans not surprisingly elected to bat on a sweltering day

Letchworth started well with Andy Newland (2-63) and Ben Cottenden (2-55) bowling tight opening spells backed up by improved fielding.

Newland made an early breakthrough having home skipper Ian Mackinlay caught behind.

This brought in Zeshan Butt who played positively before being involved in the incident which soured the game.

For the second week running, Letchworth suffered from a shocking umpiring decision.

Sweeping at Richard Jerome, Butt was struck full on the glove before the ball looped to keeper Ben Wallis for a straightforward dismissal.

Butt stood his ground and was astonishingly given not out.

He survived another confident appeal soon afterwards and Letchworth then had to suffer as he smashed his way to 136 and took St Albans to a formidable total of 265-7 off their 53 overs.

This left Letchworth to chase a target they felt was far higher than it should have been.

They made a confident start with the in-form John Hilliard (65) and Wallis (29) putting on 98 before both fell at that score.

This brought Steve March (40no) and Richard Walsh (33no) together.

They began to build on the start but gradually fell behind the clock and, perhaps harbouring a sense of injustice, decided to play for safety which they did, finishing on 179-2.

It was a different story at Whitethorn Lane where the seconds, helped by a superb bowling spell from Tom Cranston, chased down Clarendon's 238 to win by four wickets.

Clarendon were looking good for about 300 on another superb wicket before Cranston took control, finishing with 7-54.

Good knocks from Simon Elliott (72), Graham Bishton (57) and Alex Hislop (44) put Letchworth in a winning situation before Sam Booth finished the game with a six with three balls to go.

The third XI had a comfortable win at Parkfield and Headstone with Jerry Dovey (45) and Andy Bishton (30) taking the visitors to 176-6.

Simon Edwards (4-17) and Mike deNoojier (3-21) bowled out the home side for 118.

The fourth XI had less luck against the same side's fourth XI being bowled out for 82 at Fairfield Park and losing by nine wickets.

The fifths had a good win at North Enfield 3rds, skipper Dan Burley leading the way with 62 as Letchworth reached 171 before Michael Cunnington (4-13) helped bowl out the home side for 86.

* Letchworth hosted Uxbridge in their first ever Chess Valley League game on Sunday.

It was another run feast with the visitors reaching 245-3 off their 45 overs.

Letchworth made short work of the target, winning by eight wickets with 10 overs to spare, Ben Wallis finishing on 105no and Dave Albon unbeaten on 86.

* In their Herts League Development Division game with Harpenden, Letchworth reached 214-9 with major contributions from Simon Morris (44) and Scott Williams (35) before Dane Hirst (3-33) helped bowl Harpenden out for 140.