Preston got back to winning ways thanks to a hard-fought 18-run victory over Northwood in the Saracens Herts League Division Two. They were unsurprisingly asked to bat first on a wicket that was still wet from the extensive rain the day before. A 74-run t

Preston got back to winning ways thanks to a hard-fought 18-run victory over Northwood in the Saracens Herts League Division Two.

They were unsurprisingly asked to bat first on a wicket that was still wet from the extensive rain the day before.

A 74-run third wicket stand between Chris Cole (52) and Dave Fleckney (38) allowed Preston back into the game after a couple of early wickets.

Another glut of wickets saw four middle order wickets fall for just seven runs with the score on 117-7.

Vital runs from the lower order allowed Preston to finish their revised 50 overs on 171-9.

Northwood made excellent progress with their run chase, reaching the 16-over mark at 60 without loss.

However the game turned in Preston's favour with the introduction of spinner Andy Riant (6-0-29-4) bowling in partnership with Indika Samaraweera (12.3-1-44-4).

This allowed Preston to start picking up regular wickets thanks to a combination of smart fielding and bowling.

Northwood fell from 110-3 after 29 overs to 153 all out in 37.3 overs, with skipper Ashley Catlin rolling back the years with a fine one-handed catch on the boundary to remove the last wicket and secure an important victory.

n The seconds lost by four wickets to Hatch End after posting 169-8.

The thirds travelled to the impressive Queen Elizabeth Grammar School in Barnet and dismissed the old boys for 98. Evergreen Nigel Biggs took 3-12, with support from Andy Crawford who took 2-12 and Dilshan Wijeskera 2-15.

Preston reached the total without loss from only 22 overs thanks to a solid 36no from Simon Luxton and a swift 49no from Dave Saunders.

The fourths had a fine 30-run victory over visitors Sawbridgeworth fourths. In a total of 150, Henry Moorecroft made his first half century for the club with support coming from Mandeep Khurana's 29.

The East Herts side were then bowled out for 120 with wickets shared among the consistent Preston attack.