Stevenage s top order failed again as they crashed to a league defeat against local rivals Welwyn Garden City. It took a magnificent innings from Gareth Berg (66) to steer the visitors to respectability and a final total of 173-7 from 60 overs. With the h

Stevenage's top order failed again as they crashed to a league defeat against local rivals Welwyn Garden City.

It took a magnificent innings from Gareth Berg (66) to steer the visitors to respectability and a final total of 173-7 from 60 overs.

With the help of Ashley Bayes (42no), Berg added 74 for the sixth wicket and Bayes also looked positive in front of the county selectors.

The home side featured a host of Herts county players as well as former Stevenage all-rounder Murty Hussain (3-60 in 22 overs).

In reply all the home side's top order in contrast made useful contributions as Stevenage's bowlers were unable to apply significant pressure to threaten the match result.

Welwyn GC won by six wickets with 8.2 overs to spare.

The seconds were involved in an exciting draw against Hatfield in the Saracens Herts League Division Three.

Stevenage won the toss and elected to bat.

After losing a few early wickets, fifties from Sohail Idress and Adil Zargar supported a fine innings by Albert Sodhi (98no) to repair the damage.

Chasing 248 to win, Hatfield started slowly before upping the tempo. Needing 10 to win off the last over for an unlikely victory, Hatfield closed on 244-5.

The third game was cancelled but the fourths lost to Radlett 5ths.

Stevenage used all their 53 overs to make 191-8. Neil Hockey top scored with 35 and there were other notable contributions from Ashlea Bennett (30), Rich Curtis (29) and Jack Mitchell (24).

Radlett put on more than a hundred before a collapse. Despite Rakesh Lad claiming 4-31, Radlett scraped home with seven wickets down in 44 overs.

P The Stevenage Academy beat a Preston XI by 27 runs on Sunday.

Stevenage won the toss and elected to bat with an opening stand of 112 between Laurie Brown (57) and Scott Reid (56 retired) laid the foundations for a good total. Number three Scott Davies (53no), with two massive sixes into Ditchmore Lane, was backed by Rhys Stewart (26) as Stevenage made 207-3 in their 40 overs.

Preston were all out in the 39th over for 180 (Ian Purton 74), Luke Martin taking four wickets from his seven-over spell.

The Sunday A side beat Eascote on a perfect batting strip.

Despite taking two early wickets, the home side added 213 in a third wicket stand which posted a forbidding total of 257-6 in 40 overs. Gary Brown (125no), ably supported by Ashley Bayes (54no) steered Stevenage home by six wickets with 10 balls to spare.