Baldock Town has lost one of its cricketing stalwarts. Alan Brown had been with Baldock for more than half a century and will be a huge loss to the club. He played for many years before putting in unstinting work behind the scenes for both the cricket and

Baldock Town has lost one of its cricketing stalwarts.

Alan Brown had been with Baldock for more than half a century and will be a huge loss to the club.

He played for many years before putting in unstinting work behind the scenes for both the cricket and bowls clubs.

Alan was treasurer of both clubs, providing excellent support to the committees he sat on for many years.

He was also responsible for the superb cricket teas that won such high praise each season and was a loyal and proud supporter of his beloved club.

The three teams that Baldock fielded over the weekend all wore black armbands and a minute's silence was observed on Saturday at both games.

The first team's miserable start to the 2006 season continued as they were soundly beaten by Radlett 3rds by 10 wickets.

Having won the toss, Baldock elected to bat and on essentially a good wicket struggled to 30-4 off 10 overs.

Despite the wicket levelling out, Baldock limped to a disappointing 127 all out off 50 overs. Only Graham Letford with a solid 44 managed to get runs of note.

It soon became apparent that the wicket had no demons in the second half as Radlett worked the bowlers around with ease, albeit in scorching conditions.

They got to their target without loss in 23 overs.

Baldock now lie fifth from bottom in the Saracens Herts League Division Five.

Poor batting from the seconds saw them succumb to their first defeat of the season against Northwood 3rds.

Northwood were dismissed in their final over for 165, Phil Lucy taking a superb 4-43, well supported by Pete Tily (3-31) and Mark Lewis (2-42).

Baldock slumped to 62-5 before a rapid 41 from Mark Lewis in a stand of more than 50 with Andy Diplock seemed to give Baldock a chance of victory. Once Lewis was bowled going for another boundary, the tail failed to wag and they were dismissed for 142.

P Baldock's Sunday XI lost by 93 runs at Offley and Stopsley on Sunday in the Broadview Windows North Herts League.

Offley reached 70-2 in quick time before the introduction of Ben Diplock and Graham Letford managed to peg back the hosts.

Letford took three quick wickets but Offley recovered to post 208-8 in 40 overs. Letford took 3-30 and Alistair Jones 3-42.

Baldock never got going in reply and despite an entertaining 35 from Letford they only managed 115 all out off 33.2 overs.