Letchworth first XI have a busy weekend ahead. They visit Langleybury in their first Saracens Herts League game on Saturday and entertain Chingford on Sunday in the second round of the Cockspur National KO Cup. The weather ruined the opening Herts League

Letchworth first XI have a busy weekend ahead.

They visit Langleybury in their first Saracens Herts League game on Saturday and entertain Chingford on Sunday in the second round of the Cockspur National KO Cup.

The weather ruined the opening Herts League fixtures.

Newcomer Dave Albon continued his good form for the second XI, making 50 out of 90-5 before play was halted at Radlett.

The third XI struggled to 101-6 on a poor pitch at Cockfosters, while the fourth team were the most disappointed as they were brought to a halt on 139-2 against Ickleford 2nds at Fairfield Park.

The first XI, who start league action this Saturday, put out a mixed side against a strong St Albans side in a friendly.

They were pleased to restrict them to 208-5 at tea when the rain came, 16-year-old Alex Wilson taking two wickets.

On Sunday, in a friendly at Redbourn, Letchworth made 232-3 declared, Richard Walsh (100) and Simon Elliott (70) leading the way, assisted by Ben Wallis (31).

Redbourn were dismissed for 127 with skipper Ian Bowyer taking six wickets.

Hitchin progressed to the second round of the Bertie Joel Cup after a convincing seven-wicket victory over North Middlesex on Sunday.

Playing in the shadow of Alexandra Palace, Hitchin won the toss and elected to field first on a pitch that gave uneven bounce, particularly from one end. The decision to field first proved a wise one.

An early wicket for Ashley Hammond and then 3-28 in his nine overs from Chris Slack had North Middlesex struggling.

Jimmy Lewis' part-time off spin picked up three wickets and Hammond polished off the tail to record figures of 3-7 off 6.1 overs.

This meant that Hitchin had to chase the modest target of 143 from 45 overs.

Craig Millwood fell for five but after that it was plain sailing as Cameron Boyd and Jeremy Heath added 97 for the second wicket.

Boyd fell for 73 when only 20 runs were required and Heath saw Hitchin into the next round draw, finishing on an unbeaten 49.

Hitchin second team's first league game of the season got off to a damp start when it was washed out after just 30 overs.

Playing Hexton at Lucas Lane, Hitchin were in the driving seat when the umpires decided that the rain was too heavy to continue.

Early wickets from Slack and Ian Goddard left Hexton on the ropes before another couple of scalps for the latter saw the visitors struggle to 40-4.

Some lusty blows from the middle order helped reach three figures but two wickets for Danny Fair restricted Hexton to 120-6 when the game was abandoned.

n Letchworth Ladies kicked off their campaign in Southern League Two with a resounding seven-wicket win against another promoted side Loughton.

Loughton were asked to bat first and Letchworth made the important breakthrough in dismissing Essex opener Helen Letch in the 13th over.

She top-edged a full toss to keeper Sue Roberts who took a good legside catch with the score on 55. Vikki Borman then destroyed the middle order by taking 3-23.

The bowlers were backed up by sharp fielding throughout the innings, culminating in two run out to end Loughton's innings on 111.

Letchworth looked as if they were going to make hard work of the chase when Julie Clarke was dropped for nought on the first ball, Borman was run out in the first over and Rachel Cheffy was bowled in the second.

But Clarke and Laura Jackson took the score to 69-2 before Jackson was caught from another top edge.

Clarke and Emma Cane saw Letchworth to victory with Clarke reaching her unbeaten fifty off the last ball of the innings.