DIVISION TWO

Northwood Town 173 beat Abbots Langley 66 by 107 runs

Northwood Town produced a tremendous display to beat bottom club Abbots Langley by 107 runs.

Abbots won the toss and knowing that a win was crucial took their time in deciding what to do - eventually electing to go for the all out win and field first.

Raj Ahluwalia (16) and Tim Piper (24) opened well for the hosts as they put on 40 for the first wicket.

Rohan Lee (19), Dean Barker (19) and Richard Doling (19) all put in solid displays though the run rate was stuttering as the visitors slow attack pinned the batsmen down.

Eventually the hosts cracked and suffered a mid-order collapse, slumping to 100 for 6 with overs running out.

However, as has been the case often this season, Kazim Naqvi (26) upped the ante with some sensible shot selection and he was joined by Johanes Van EE (19) who also helped the total creep up.

Craig Newman then came in to notch an unbeaten 16 before Town were eventually dismissed for 173, a score that had looked unlikely at one stage.

In reply Abbots were rocked by a remarkable Town bowling display. Doling and Naqvi opened the attack for the hosts and never gave an inch as Doling took one wicket and the visitors failed to get off the mark in five overs.

Doling (3-16) then took another two and Naqvi one as Abbots slumped to 22 for 4.

Dave Bushnell was then introduced to the attack and it was an element of luck that snared Abbots captain Dave Carlisle. Carlisle received a full toss and eyed up a sure boundary but Doling pulled off a stunning catch in the gully to leave the visitors in tatters at 28 for 5.

It was surely now all over and as Town surrounded the bat Abbots were left only playing for pride. Bushnell produced his best bowling display for a long time as he took 4 for 14 and Van EE (2-17) took two late wickets as the visitors were finally dismissed for a paltry 66.

Skipper Ahluwalia was delighted with the victory: "Last week I said we needed to bowl as a unit and we certainly did that with a fantastic display.

"We also showed great character with our batting when the lower order really dug in to get a respectable total on the board. Overall I have to be very happy with that performance."