Dream’s over

Letchworth Cricket Club round-up

Letchworth's promotion dreams were shattered at champs Millhillians.

Any hopes that the home side, having already clinched the Saracens Herts League Division One title, might be taking it easy were dashed as they posted a challenging 253-6 off their 53 overs.

They had been invited to bat by Colin Letford as only a full 30 points would guarantee Letchworth second place.

The game quickly got away from them, as the top order, helped by an uncharacteristically wayward opening spell from Ed Morse, threw caution to the wind scoring at nearly 10 an over for the first six overs.

Morse settled down and slowed the rate with three wickets.

A more solid stand of 112 between Sean O'Brien (62) and Hutchinson (40) gave Millhillians a platform for a second late assault which took them to their formidable total.

Morse finished with 3-58 and Richard Jerome 2-65.

Millhillians then opened with the old ball and skipper Andy Blincoe made an early breakthrough, bowling his counterpart Letford for five.

They were reduced to 10 men when O'Brien was taken to hospital with a broken nose after being hit by a shot from John Hilliard.

But it did not greatly inconvenience the home side as Blincoe worked his way through the Letchworth order with his off spin.

Some injudicious shots meant that eight players were caught as they tried to keep up with the run rate.

A lot of players got a start but could not make the big score that was really needed - Steve March made 42, Richard Walsh 35, Hilliard 25 and Ben Wallis 24.

A late flourish from Jerome who made a quickfire 41 took Letchworth to a final total of 181.

Significantly there were still eight overs remaining at the end and wickets in hand at that point might have seen a different ending.

Blincoe finished with 7-65 to take his league tally for the season to 68.

* There was an even better spin performance at Whitethorn Lane where the seconds reached 180 with Alex Hislop making 76, Sam Booth 35 and Dominic Chatfield 25no.

Adam Jenkins' leg spin destroyed Sawbridgeworth seconds as he took 9-39 including a hat-trick as the visitors were shot out for 120.

The third XI lost their relegation local derby with Hitchin 2nds at Fairfield Park replying with a meagre total of 95 to the visitors' 174 - both sides still stayed up.

The fourths drew at Luton Town and Indians who posted 238.

In reply rising young stars Tom Simmons (80no) and Josh Furness (67) helped Letchworth reach 189-5.

* On Sunday, Letchworth clinched promotion in the Chess Valley League, bowling Boxmoor out for 143. Richard Walsh's 67 saw them to a five-wicket victory.

* Letchworth now look forward to ending their season in style at their Ashley Giles Benefit Day on Friday, September 22.

Full details will appear in next week's Comet.

* Letchworth Ladies ended the season with a resounding win over Redoubtables, one of the top Surrey sides.

Electing to bat first, Letchworth made a steady start on a pitch of uneven bounce.

Julie Clarke fell trying to push the score along and Vikki Borman took up the challenge with opener Rachel Cheffy.

They took the score to 53 before Cheffy was unluckily given out caught behind.

The middle order all contributed to keep the scoring rate at three an over, with Sarah Ward holding the last 10 overs together and finishing unbeaten on 20.

Letchworth set Redoubtables a target of 122 to win.

Captain Borman believed that spin held the key to success and quickly brought herself and Clarke on.

Redoubtables were never able to cut loose, scoring only 23 from the first 11 overs.

Clarke removed the top three batsmen in three successive overs and Borman ripped the heart out of the middle order, coming close to a hat-trick in the process.

She finished with figures of 5-17 from eight overs as Redoubtables slumped to 69 all out.