Knebworth Park s bowlers might even have wished they were watching England struggle in the World Cup on Saturday. After their victory over Hertford the previous week, they toiled as Hoddesdon s batsmen pounded their bowlers on a superb batting surface at

Knebworth Park's bowlers might even have wished they were watching England struggle in the World Cup on Saturday.

After their victory over Hertford the previous week, they toiled as Hoddesdon's batsmen pounded their bowlers on a superb batting surface at The Park in sweltering heat.

Anthony Pratt took a wicket in the first over by removing opener Rhys Wynne but then overseas contingent Rory Coutts (175) and Matt Harris (123) piled on 303 for the second wicket as they went to bat the Park out of the game with 332-3.

Missing several key players through holiday and injury, the Park faced an uphill task.

Adrian Holmes (30), Pratt (45) and Tony Skeggs (27) were the best they could offer in a disappointing response of 160 all out, although they should have been able to hang on for a draw.

The second team slipped to a defeat at Flitwick after a useful batting display.

Shaun Robinson (47), Terry Morton (52) and Jarrod Turner (81) lifted the total to 228-6 but then too many moments of lax fielding let them down as the home side edged home by four wickets.

Bill Martin's 5-35 led the thirds to victory over Hatch End who they bowled out for 108 after Alex Richmond (51) and Josh Roseberry (38) batted well to take the Park total to 191-9.

Fifties by Ian Pickering, Bret Painter and Mark Klimek in a superb batting effort by the fourths saw them rattle up 247-3.

Redbourn 2nds, who had surprisingly put them in to bat in the heat, made a bold effort in the chase. They finally fell short on 197 all out, young guns Nick Simpson (3-28) and Michael Fisher (3-33) doing the damage.

Bobby Crowe's first ever half century (57) was the highlight as the fifths hung on for a draw with 146-9 in chasing Cockfosters third team's 242-6.

Eddie Large's 5-22 sent Flamstead 2nds sliding from 92-0 to 173 all out.

But the Park sixths were then bowled out for 100 in spite of some useful efforts by their young batsmen with Greg Butler hitting 30.