Stevenage s new league campaign got off to a flying start at North Mymms with a resounding 153-run victory. New captain David Carr won the toss and elected to bat on a good batting wicket, albeit in bowler friendly weather conditions. Carr led from the fr

Stevenage's new league campaign got off to a flying start at North Mymms with a resounding 153-run victory.

New captain David Carr won the toss and elected to bat on a good batting wicket, albeit in bowler friendly weather conditions.

Carr led from the front with a composed fifty and in company with Herts under-19 batsman Gary Brown (35) put on 89 in good time for the first wicket before Brown was out.

The captain was dismissed shortly afterwards for 54 but with the score on 105-2, the stage was set for Stevenage's powerful middle order to pile on the runs.

Syed Ali Kazmi took charge initially, racing to 76 with shots to most parts of the boundary, during a 117-run partnership with Naseer Ahmed, who settled himself in at the other end.

With Kazmi eventually removed, Ahmed took up the challenge and he took the Stevenage total past 300 by planting the last ball of the innings over the pavilion for six to end on 95no.

Despite a controlled opening spell of quick bowling from Gareth Berg and useful seam support from Tanweer Sikandar, Mymms' openers posted a 66-run partnership.

The first breakthrough was made by Kazmi, who completed a man of the match performance with figures of 4-31 in 17 overs in dismissing four of Mymms' top five batsmen.

Despite the flurry of six wickets between the scores of 108 and 139, Stevenage were left sweating on the last two wickets with neither Kazmi nor Azhar Ali (4-56 in 22 overs) able to make the necessary breakthrough.

With time running short, the new ball was taken and Berg was sent in for the kill.

A combination of raw pace and accuracy induced an edge from number nine Mather through to keeper Carr and then sent the middle stump of number 11 Searle cartwheeling out of the ground to seal victory.

Stevenage host Hertford at Ditchmore Lane this Saturday (11.30am start).

The seconds lost to their St Albans counterparts after being bowled out for 134 in 45 overs with only Martin Nevill (34no) offering much resistance. Saints lost four wickets in reaching their target in 35 overs.

The thirds were beaten by five wickets by Harpenden 4ths after being bowled out for 140 despite Laurie Brown's 34 and Terry Ashby (25).

The visiting team reached their target for the loss of five wickets, Scott Davies taking three and Martin Price the other two.

There was victory for the fourths over Met Police Bushey 3rds after posting 218 all out and then winning by 55 runs.

Their total was mainly due to an incredible innings of 136 from 18-year-old Jack Mitchell who blasted the ball to every part of the ground.

Met Police were 24-4 before recovering to 153-6. Stevenage responded to the threat of bad light and rain by mopping up the last four wickets for 10 runs.

Pick of the bowlers was skipper Phil Ashby (4-46 in 21 overs).