A sensational knock of 192 not out from Aussie all-rounder Brett Blaker enabled Ickleford to chase down a mammoth target for a remarkable victory in the Saracens Herts League Division Four. Hosts Old Haberdashers won the toss and elected to bat on a grass

A sensational knock of 192 not out from Aussie all-rounder Brett Blaker enabled Ickleford to chase down a mammoth target for a remarkable victory in the Saracens Herts League Division Four.

Hosts Old Haberdashers won the toss and elected to bat on a grass-covered surface but made it look easy. Opener Christian piled on 189 before the declaration came at 294-4 with only Duncan Jenner, Blaker and Danny Watson taking wickets.

Ickleford's difficulties were compounded by early wickets which saw them reeling on 27-3.

Blaker then took centre stage as he raced to his first league ton of the season from only 48 balls.

He played an array of powerful shots all around the ground and did not let up in his assault on the beleaguered Old Haberdashers attack while partners Tom Reilly (27) and Watson (33) played the crucial support roles.

In a vain effort to stem the flow, the opposition posted nine men on the boundary but Blaker was clearing them regularly. He secured his lifetime best score from only 96 balls with 14 sixes and 19 fours.

He ran out of runs required eight short of the individual club record.

Ickleford required only 35 overs to finish the job at a lightning rate of eight and a half runs an over.

The win lifted Ickleford to sixth place in Division Four and they remain unbeaten so far this season in the league.

The seconds beat Luton Town and Indians 3rds by eight wickets to complete a perfect day after Martin McCulley took 5-19 in bowling them out for just 70.

n Ickleford also maintained their 100 per cent record in the Broadview Windows North Herts League by beating Rosslyn.

Blaker again stole the show by taking 3-29 in eight overs and he was well supported by Steve Munnery (3-20), Tom Walker (2-26) and Duncan Jenner (2-18) as Rosslyn were all out for 151.

Ickleford made the worst possible start losing Jenner in the first over and their third wicket fell at only 23. Blaker changed the game with a short yet sweet innings, blasting 66 with a further three sixes - making 17 for the weekend - and 10 fours.

His knock put Ickleford ahead of the asking rate and they won by two wickets with 13 overs to spare.