THE opening round of fixtures in the Saracens Herts League were decimated by the wet weather. Preston s Division Two match against Old Albanians was washed out as heavy rain resulted in the game being abandoned at 4.15pm. Asked to bat first after losing t

THE opening round of fixtures in the Saracens Herts League were decimated by the wet weather.

Preston's Division Two match against Old Albanians was washed out as heavy rain resulted in the game being abandoned at 4.15pm.

Asked to bat first after losing the toss, both openers were back in the pavilion at 11-2 after 12 overs.

A third wicket partnership of 84 in 13 overs between Dave Fleckney (41no) and Adam Shelley (40no) put Preston into a commanding position before the rain came and both sides had to settle for 10 points.

Datchworth had Totteridge reeling at 90-8 in Division Three before a recovery and then the rain.

Impressive bowling from Matt Akers (3-41) and Steve Nash (3-28) did the damage before Soomro (52) and number 10 Raza (21no) took them to 154-9 from 40 overs.

The seconds were 138-4 from 38 overs before the rain against Bentley Heath. Herman Williams (33no) was the top scorer.

Baldock enjoyed a morale-boosting win at Hemel Hempstead 3rds.

New skipper Rob Cant lost the toss and Baldock were asked to field in murky light and light drizzle.

Hemel were reeling at 38-4 and 105-7 before a partial recovery to 141-7 off their 53 overs.

Alistair Jones took 3-30 from 15 overs, Tim Dean 3-55 from a marathon 20 overs and Giles Naylor 1-28 off 12.

Baldock's reply faltered to 48-4 from 19 overs.

James Peacock and Naylor added 75 in 16 overs to take Baldock almost to the winning post before Naylor was adjudged leg before for 35 vital runs.

Peacock then took total control and saw his side to a five-wicket victory by ending unbeaten on 72 in a controlled and mature innings.

Phil Lucy claimed 6-37 as the seconds dismissed Parkfield and Headstone 2nds for 125.

Baldock were 26-2 off 20 overs when heavy rain forced the players off.

Weston, severely depleted due to injuries and illness, drew at Redbourn 2nds in Division Eight.

They fielded a team consisting of three colts, including Billy Mills and James Stevens from Weston under-12s.

After the loss of two quick wickets, Orville Batson and George Lamprell shared a third wicket partnership which plundered 217 runs.

Lamprell was finally out for 80, while Redbourn breathed a big sigh of relief when Batson was eventually bowled for 133, his entertaining innings including nine sixes and 16 fours.

Weston shortly afterwards declared on 254-6 after 43 overs.

The Redbourn innings had a touch of déjà vu about it as they too lost a couple of early wickets before a profitable third wicket partnership of 137.

Wickets then began to fall regularly again until bad light ended play prematurely with the home side finishing on 203-6 to draw the game.

There was a first Saracens Herts League wicket for Stevens and Mills took his first senior catch as the youngsters, including Patrick Bennet, did Weston proud in difficult conditions.

Ickleford Cricketers were 173-4 against Bayford and Hertford when the weather intervened. This was due to Kevin Shinner (48), Nick Webb (53no) and Jon Hare's brutal 24no before the rain became heavier and the home side were reluctant to continue.

With rain forecast for later in the day, Bragbury wrapped up a win before 5pm against St Albans 4ths.

The St Albans openers put on 43 before Bragbury got on top of their game and bowled them out for 84 inside 25 overs.

Dan Sampson took 4-19 and the rejuvenated Dan Mitchell took a career-best 5-6 off only 3.2 overs.

Deciding to skip tea, Bragbury passed the total with ease as the drizzle started to fall. Top scorer Mark Dobbs (41no) and captain Steve Newman (16no) ensured maximum points.