Hitchin lost their unbeaten record in the Saracens Herts League Division One away at bottom side Northwood. Captain Dave Moore won the toss and elected to bat first and with the intention of gaining the maximum 30 points declared the innings on 216-5 off

Hitchin lost their unbeaten record in the Saracens Herts League Division One away at bottom side Northwood.

Captain Dave Moore won the toss and elected to bat first and with the intention of gaining the maximum 30 points declared the innings on 216-5 off 50 overs.

Will Pugh top scored with 57no, with the other main run getters Andy Hicks (47), Craig Millwood (29) and Jimmy Lewis (27).

In reply Northwood found themselves in trouble at 151-7, with Moore picking up another five-wicket haul and Hicks two wickets.

But the Northwood tail-enders decided to still try and win the game and not block out for a draw by going on the attack.

This tactic paid off as they knocked the runs off with two overs to spare.

Hitchin took 17 points from the game and are now eight points behind Harpenden in the race for promotion.

This weekend, Hitchin play top of the table Millhillians at Lucas Lane on Saturday and travel to Southgate Adelaide in the Chess Valley League on Sunday.

The seconds are in further relegation trouble following a third straight defeat.

Yet another batting capitulation brought about their downfall against Abbots Langley 2nds at Lucas Lane.

Abbots built a solid target of 208 in 51 overs, Chris Slack and Mike Baker taking two wickets each.

Ian Mills (33) top scored as Hitchin reached 90-4 before going to pieces. They lost six wickets for just 10 runs to be 100 all out and remain second bottom of Division Six.

P On Sunday, Hitchin beat Old Merchant Taylors in the Chess Valley League by seven wickets.

Simon Bayston (3-6) and Pugh (3-25) did the damage in dismissing OMT for 155.

Hitchin reached their target off 23 overs with Lewis making 43 and Millwood ending 68no.