A sterling effort from Preston s bowlers was not enough as they went down by two wickets at home against a strong Radlett second team in the Saracens Herts League Division Two. After losing the toss, Preston were asked to bat first on a wicket that was st

A sterling effort from Preston's bowlers was not enough as they went down by two wickets at home against a strong Radlett second team in the Saracens Herts League Division Two.

After losing the toss, Preston were asked to bat first on a wicket that was still showing the effects of the heavy midweek rain.

Preston were 41-2 after 10 overs with Radlett's bowlers having the upper hand.

A mixture of good bowling and some rash shots saw Preston in real trouble at 115-7 after 30 overs, with the majority of the batsmen all making starts but failing to go on and produce a significant score.

Only Casey Walker (27no) batted with any style as Preston were dismissed in the 41st over for 147.

Preston got off to a flying start with the ball, with the outstanding Mark Waters (18-5-37-5) being responsible for the first five Radlett wickets to fall.

Radlett were indebted to the efforts of both Chaudry and Robinson as they combined to score over half the runs for the visitors. Preston continued to push with the ball with Nanjundan (18.1-3-62-2) and Samaraweera (11-5-12-1) bowling in partnership to help restrict Radlett to 140-7 by the 50th over. Radlett clinched victory in the 57th over with two wickets in hand.

* The seconds were bowled out for 147 against Ware in response to their challenging 223-3.

The thirds beat Parkfield thirds in Division 13 in the race to finish runners-up to champions Redbourn.

The visitors were skittled out for 62 as an impeccable spell of off-break bowling from Dilshan Wijesekera saw him take 5-14 off nine overs, his career best. This was backed up by Bob Hearne's 3-15.

Preston were left with a colossal 60 overs to score the runs and used 30 of them to win by seven wickets, Nigel Biggs chipping in with an unbeaten 25.

* Preston seconds had a fine Chess Valley League win at Bessborough on Sunday.

The home side were invited to bat first and Malcolm Sperring soon sent both openers back to the pavilion without a run on the board. Tom Maxwell then blended in well to take 4-21 as the home side reached a modest 171 all out on a belter of a track.

In reply, Simon Luxton impressed with 59, next best 30 from Dave Saunders and then 25 apiece for Louis Harrington-Smith and Lee Pybus as Preston got home by five wickets.