THERE were emphatic wins for the two Ickleford teams in the Broadview Windows North Herts League. Graveley set what appeared to be a challenging total of 176-6 against Ickleford due to an excellent partnership of 91 between John Cartwright (66) and Matt P

THERE were emphatic wins for the two Ickleford teams in the Broadview Windows North Herts League.

Graveley set what appeared to be a challenging total of 176-6 against Ickleford due to an excellent partnership of 91 between John Cartwright (66) and Matt Preston (50).

Galen Sherred took 2-23 while Brett Blaker only conceded six runs in his seven overs.

Ickleford were 27-2 before Blaker joined Duncan Jenner at the crease.

Blaker was brutal in his treatment of the Graveley attack and smashed seven sixes and 10 fours in a magnificent unbeaten 105. Jenner provided excellent support with an unbeaten 59 in an unbroken partnership of 150 as Ickleford coasted to an eight-wicket victory.

Ickleford Cricketers won by 76 runs against Rosslyn.

On a wicket that was difficult to score runs on, Ian Cousins' 53 and Tim Porter's 34 were worth double in Cricketers' total of 158-6.

Barry Males was the perfect seam bowler to exploit the conditions and he took a superb 6-18 in reply.

Spinner Tom Salusbury was almost unplayable as he took 3-0 as Rosslyn crumbled to 82 all out.

Datchworth overcame Weston in the same division.

Good bowling from Chris Blackham, Steve Stroomer and Will Nash had Weston struggling at 86-6.

Two run outs and two quick wickets from Lewis Tyler finished the Weston innings for 119 in the 40th over.

John McKean (23) and Craig Braine (31) were the Weston top scorers.

Datchworth started badly with both Luke Bennett and Gary Hyams falling inside the first four overs to Shaffique Rehman. But the game was won with an unbeaten fourth wicket partnership of 82 between Nick Webb (75no) and Stroomer (31no).

A depleted Baldock side took on Hatfield in Division One and were thrashed by 249 runs.

Hatfield batted first and racked up an amazing 312-5 off 40 overs with Gale scoring a ton.

The batting was even worse as Baldock capitulated to 63 all out in quick time with only Nick Blenkin showing any real fight.

* Henlow's Beds League Division Two campaign got off to a flying start on Sunday.

They beat Hexton by eight wickets after bowling out the visitors for 129 with new boy Paul Lewis taking 4-27, Scott Spicer 3-24 and fit-again Joel Boorman 2-12.

Fifties from captain Matt Chudley (50no) and Nico Hand (56) saw Henlow romp home in reply.

The second team game at Blunham was cancelled due to the weather.

It was a different story in the Millman the day before against Elstow.

The first XI were bowled out for just 77 in light drizzle for most of their innings, Chudley the only man to reach double figures.

Elstow did not lose a wicket in reaching their target inside 15 overs as the rain became heavier.

The seconds were chasing Elstow's 213-3 up The Park and managed 148 all out thanks to Lewis Sinclair's first fifty in senior cricket.

* Preston enjoyed a comfortable 77-run victory over Harpenden in Sunday's friendly.

They made 151-6 from their 40 overs with good early season form continuing for Dave Fleckney (54) and Adam Shelley (33no).

Harpenden were then dismissed for 74 thanks to three wickets apiece from Mark Waters (3-11) and Jack Moorecroft (3-14).

Adam Parkins scored a ton for Holwell in their high-scoring Sunday game against Willesden.

Parkins hit 105 as Holwell totalled 226-9, well supported by Wayne Alleyne (33) and Nigel Pointing (29).

Willesden could only muster 199 all out in reply with the wickets shared around.

Letchworth Corinthians narrowly lost their first match of the season to Kempston Ramblers on Sunday.

Corinthians were asked to make first use of a wet wicket and managed a reasonable score of 139-6, Anthony Wood top scoring with an unbeaten 41.

Kempston won off the last ball of their innings by two wickets, Dave Gash claiming three wickets for the visitors.

Datchworth thirds beat Stevenage fourths by three wickets in Saturday's rain-affected friendly. Stevenage set a challenging total of 124-7 from 35 overs. A fine partnership of 57 between Neal Jeromson (45no) and Russell Dawson (29no) guided Datchworth to victory.