Hitchin drew again in the Saracens Herts League Division One at Harpenden in scorching temperatures. The home side won the toss and elected to bat first before amassing 218-9 off their 53 overs. Skipper Dave Moore took 5-60 off his 20 overs. In reply Hitc

Hitchin drew again in the Saracens Herts League Division One at Harpenden in scorching temperatures.

The home side won the toss and elected to bat first before amassing 218-9 off their 53 overs.

Skipper Dave Moore took 5-60 off his 20 overs.

In reply Hitchin lost wickets at the wrong times throughout their innings and eventually had to block out for a draw on 145-8 off 47 overs.

The highlight of the innings was the fourth wicket partnership of 67 between the Hicks brothers, Andy (54) and Matt (27).

This weekend, they host St Albans in the league (Saturday) and Chipperfield in the Becker Cup plate competition (Sunday).

The seconds took nine points from their drawn Division Six match with Parkfield and Headstone.

It was no surprise that Hitchin found themselves fielding in the sweltering conditions after losing the toss.

They were made to toil by the away team as they racked up 277-8 off their full allocation of 53 overs.

Ian Goddard and Joel Wilson took two wickets each, with Tim Porter and Chris Slack one apiece. There were also two run outs.

With the bat, Hitchin lost early wickets to find themselves 44-3.

A 58-run partnership between Phil Britton (26) and Alex Stoner (23) steadied the ship yet both fell in successive deliveries.

A Parkfield victory looked as though it would be the likeliest outcome despite resistance from Gavin Bidgood (21).

Bidgood was bowled with four overs to go and it was left to the tail to block out the remaining overs.

Goddard and Wilson did the job as Parkfield were made to rue their decision to bat for so long.

* Hitchin were knocked out of the Bertie Joel Cup by Cambridge Granta on Friday.

Chasing 105 for victory, the Cambridge side won by six wickets.