Letchworth GC took a big blow to their title hopes in unsatisfactory circumstances at Headstone Lane against Totteridge Millhillians. The game had been switched at short notice from the home side s main ground at Totteridge and the groundsman had little t

Letchworth GC took a big blow to their title hopes in unsatisfactory circumstances at Headstone Lane against Totteridge Millhillians.

The game had been switched at short notice from the home side's main ground at Totteridge and the groundsman had little time to prepare, resulting in the game being played in extremely sub-standard conditions.

Nevertheless, this was no excuse for an abject batting display by Letchworth.

Skipper Steve March won the toss and elected to bat, but was soon regretting it as John Hilliard was bowled by the first ball he received.

Tom Cranston and Simon Elliott then added 24 before Elliott was caught behind and Cranston soon followed.

March and Dave Albon also went cheaply and when Seb Franke-Matthecka holed out for 16 and Richard Barclay ran himself out for nought, the innings had subsided to 61-7.

Some late order heroics from Ed Morse (24) and Andy Newland (12) at least took Letchworth to three figures but they were all out for 107 which was never going to be enough against the home side's strong batting line-up. Gloucestershire and Ireland opener Will Porterfield and Jones attacked from the start and were 40-0 very quickly.

Barclay brought some temporary respite by having Porterfield brilliantly caught by Albon and then Jones caught behind by Ricky Fuller.

There was still time for Dom Chatfield to grab his first wicket in the first XI but Millhillians then cruised to victory by seven wickets, Barclay finishing with 2-18 off his five overs.

Letchworth will have to improve dramatically on this performance in their last three games if they are to achieve promotion. Their next game is at Whitethorn Lane this Saturday against St Margaretsbury.

* The second XI were in desperate need of points at home to Clifton and they cruised to an eight-wicket win against depleted opposition.

Graham Bishton won the toss and put the visitors in and they were soon 7-2 off eight overs.

Wickets continued to fall regularly, with two apiece for Gurdeep Jandu, Simon Edwards and Bishton, before Adam Jenkins (4-19) polished off the tail.

Clifton were all out for 105 and the Garden City made short work of the target despite losing two early wickets. Tom Simmons and Sarbjit Chahal both made 44no, Chahal off 31 balls, as they cruised to an eight-wicket win.

The thirds had an almost identical reversal of fortunes, being bowled out for 109 by high-flying Met Police Bushey with Jay Simon (23) the only batsman to look comfortable and they lost by eight wickets.

There was better news, however, for the fourth and fifth teams who both improved their promotion chances with good wins.

The fourth XI entertained West Herts thirds at Fairfield Park and dismissed them for 131 with Bav Aujla taking 4-13. Mike Hughes (84no) then steered the home side to a nine-wicket win.

The fifth XI met fellow promotion rivals North Mymms fourths at St Christopher School and won a tight game by 27 runs.

Letchworth were 98-8 but Rob Booth (34) and Ed Wharton (26) got the score up to 134 and then a good team bowling performance dismissed the visitors for 107.

n On Sunday, Letchworth GC had a comfortable win at Mill Hill Village in the Chess Valley League, scoring 234 and then dismissing the home side for 187.

There were good contributions with the bat from Dave Albon (71), Will Aitkenhead (52no), Dom Chatfield (39) and Richard Walsh (31) before Harry Aitkenhead (5-20) spun Mill Hill Village to defeat.