Knebworth Park lost out in a last-over thriller against St Margaretsbury. It could have ended up with any of four results, as the visitors squeezed home by one wicket with one ball to spare in Saracens Herts League One. Needing eight off the last over, wh

Knebworth Park lost out in a last-over thriller against St Margaretsbury.

It could have ended up with any of four results, as the visitors squeezed home by one wicket with one ball to spare in Saracens Herts League One.

Needing eight off the last over, which was bowled by Park skipper Tony Skeggs, the last pair of Michael Anstead and Martin Robinson scrambled the runs, aided by four byes as Skeggs sought to take the wicket to win the game.

The Park could reflect on taking 19 points coupled with a good all-round display and a determined recovery, especially after Saints looked to be on course for victory before they collapsed from 174-4.

After losing the toss and batting first, Ryan Skeggs (46) and Jarrod Turner (39) laid the foundation in a second-wicket stand of 49 for their total of 217-7. Tony Skeggs also added 43.

Chris Brook (2-39) had made early inroads, reducing St Margaretsbury to 58-3, before Nick Anstead and Simon Tilbury (34) put together a vital fourth wicket stand of 71.

The game then took a dramatic turn when Tony Skeggs brought himself in to the attack and caught and bowled Anstead, the first of his three wickets for 19.

With Turner (4-92) picking up wickets at the other end, the game swung either way before the last pair made it, scoring the crucial run off the fifth ball of the last over.

Before all of their games on Saturday, a minute's silence was observed in memory of Nick Simpson, the Park's young fast bowler who tragically died in March, aged 19.

Nick took two wickets in the Park's county cup final against Radlett last season and had broken through to the full county squad.

On Sunday, in The Evening Standard Trophy, the Park comfortably overcame London Maccabi Vale by six wickets.

Chasing the visitors' 218-8, Ryan Skeggs and Phil Simpson (71) put the Park in control, and then Adrian Holmes (37) completed the task.

They now travel to Saffron Walden in the next round.

* New skipper Shaun Robinson's second team were soundly beaten on Saturday at Old Albanian.

Old Albanian won the toss and sent the Park in to the field. Robinson took three wickets but Old Albanian accelerated to 224-5 declared from 50 overs.

Knebworth lost four quick wickets before resistance from Junior D'Abreu, who was eventually caught and bowled just one run shy of his half century.

A dogged performance by the tailenders led to the possibility of earning a draw but the Park were eventually bowled out for 114 in the 40th over.

The third team came a distant second in their drawn match at home to Cockfosters seconds.

The visitors smashed 269-5 with new bowler Usman Choudhary impressing with 2-60 on his debut. An awful start meant they could only battle for pride, recovering to finish on 125-8 with skipper Steve Holmes scoring 35.

Under-16 Tom Eaton struck a brilliant 75 for the fourths away to Clarendon 2nds in bowler-friendly conditions where the ball seamed and swung all day. Park were 171-4 before collapsing to 187 all out in the pursuit of quick runs. Leg spinner Connor Alderman, one of four under-16s in the team, bagged 3-6 as Clarendon closed on a dismal 110-6.

In spite of the efforts of skipper John Inman (54 out of a total of 122), the fifths went down by eight wickets to Waltham Cross Rosedale thirds.