Preston picked up their first win of the Herts Cricket League season with a convincing success over Hoddesdon.

They won by 95 runs at their Recreation Ground base to move up to fourth in the Championship table.

They were put into bat and came out with a fiery determination, leaving the visitors struggling to contain the onslaught.

Openers James Stevens and Ed Wharton set the tone with a blistering start during the power play, propelling Preston to an impressive 73 in the first 10 overs.

Stevens contributed a solid 41 before departing, but the momentum continued as Phil Simpson took charge, playing exquisite shots on his way to a brilliant run-a-ball 62.

Together with Wharton, the pair formed a formidable partnership, accumulating 151 runs before Wharton finally fell for a classy 127.

Daniel Scholz (42*) arrived and added crucial runs, allowing Preston to set a daunting target of 317 for victory.

In response, Preston's bowlers were relentless from the outset.

Casey Walker and Wharton (2-21) struck early blows, reducing Hoddesdon to a disheartening 3-2 within the first six overs.

Hoddesdon skipper Rob Walters fought valiantly with 73 but Preston kept going, Max Anderson standing out with 2-24, and bowled Hoddesdon out for 220.

The seconds lost by one wicket to Clifton in Division Five A.

They posted 198-3 batting first, Chris Cole the top scorer with 74, receiving valuable support from Warren Hearne (34) and Ollie Catlin (30).

Clifton though produced a spirited reply and in a tense finale, they reached their target with a couple of balls to spare.

The third and fourth teams both won though, the threes beating Harpenden by 73 runs thanks to 56 from Callum Blair, 45 from Andrew Hedges and 4-10 from Amit Rajani, while the fourths defeated Datchworth thirds by 10 wickets.

Datch were all out for 70, Iain Purton taking 4-8, allowing Craig Tennant (34*) and Iain Williamson (25*) to send Preston to victory.

Ickleford suffered a tough day against Radlett, losing by six wickets in Division Two A.

They managed just 93 batting first, George Crouch caught behind to the third ball of the innings and slumping to 37-6 at one point.

Sam Giggle battled through 26 overs for his 21 as wickets fell around him and when he was finally out, there was a late rally from Sam Draper (23*) and Nadeem Akhtar (12).

Luke Marsden briefly stalled Radlett's charge as he took 4-43 but they eased to victory in 19 overs.

There was no better luck for the second or fourth teams either.

The twos lost by 48 runs to Sawbridgeworth although there were positives.

Scot Crouch passed 500 second-team wickets with 2-34 while debutant Denish Cheripali took 1-16 in an impressive 10-over spell.

There was also a maiden second-team half-century for Olli Ellis-Holmes (54) and in contrast to one week earlier, five of the six catching chances were taken.

The fourths meanwhile lost to Cockfosters by seven wickets, Dan Weston's 64 the best Ickleford could manage although there was a debut wicket for Kai Day.

The thirds did bring a victory though for Ickleford, beating Stevenage fifths by six wickets.

Stevenage managed 136-8, Harry Chan taking 3-28 and Jayden Laidler 2-9 for Ickleford, and an unbeaten partnership of 115 in 17 overs from Matt Marsden (57*) and Mark Schumann (49*) sealed the win.

Elsewhere, there was a win for Hitchin but Letchworth, Baldock Town and Stevenage all lost.