Leaders Baldock maintain their grip

Baldock are flying high at the top of the Saracens Herts League Division Five after yet another win at Avenue Park. They beat Leverstock Green seconds by three wickets in a low-scoring game. Baldock won the toss and bowled first and dried the runs up as M

Baldock are flying high at the top of the Saracens Herts League Division Five after yet another win at Avenue Park.

They beat Leverstock Green seconds by three wickets in a low-scoring game.

Baldock won the toss and bowled first and dried the runs up as Matt Ayre and Logan Newman bowled tightly to leave the visitors wobbling at 21-2.

A brief rally was ended by a double wicket burst from Alistair Jones and when Tim Dean bowled their form batsman, Leverstock went from 59-2 to 59-5 in less than two overs.

Despite the tight bowling, Leverstock battled hard and the sixth wicket added a painstaking 47 runs.

Wickets then started to tumble as Dean routed the tail and Leverstock were bowled out for 106, having lost their last four wickets without adding a run. Dean ended with 4-28, Jones 2-39 and Ayre 2-15.

Baldock's reply was equally poor at the start as they lost the Peacock brothers with only 10 runs on the board.

Baldock found themselves in even deeper trouble at 32-4 before skipper Rob Cant found support in the form of Tom Dupuy who changed the complexion of the innings by scoring 21 quick runs with some lovely clean hitting.

They looked to have got back on track at 60-4 but a silly run out ended Dupuy's exciting stay at the wicket and the game was soon in the balance at 63-6.

The rate was upped by a cameo of 15 from Julian Muir that seemed to swing the game back to Baldock but he fell at 91.

It took some calm batting from the ebullient Cant, who batted through with 44no in an innings of true grit and determination, and Jones to see Baldock home in the 42nd over with three overs remaining.

n The seconds got back to winning ways with a thumping success at their Bayford and Hertford counterparts.

Bayford batted first and got 155-8 off 53 overs, Phil Lucy taking three wickets in another good spell and Abu Monsur also bowling well.

Baldock coasted home by eight wickets in 40 overs with Richard Waters making 80no and Andy Diplock 29.

The thirds went down by one wicket to Waltham Cross Rosedale fourths.

Baldock batted first and got their highest score of the season so far - 169-9 off 47 overs.

Simon Goodlad top scored with a solid 34no, Rob Kitchener added a fine 24 and under-14 Luke Mongston scored a quickfire 24 with four fours and a six.

Baldock then bowled well in response with Martin Impey and Mongston making early inroads. Club legend Santoc Singh, who has taken up the game again after seven years away, took 4-33 in 10 overs to rout the middle order with his wily spin.

But one innings of 74 by Matthews was enough to get Waltham Cross over the line. Impey also took 3-54 in 10 overs.