Division Two: Northwood 155 (30pts) Beat Hatfield 125 (5pts) By 30 Runs
NORTHWOOD had their lower order to thank for the second week running as they recovered from a very precarious position to beat Hatfield by 30 runs.
The visitors slumped to 11 for three after being asked to bat, with the top three all collecting ducks and at that point victory was a long way off.
Simon Noach (39) and Paul Richardson (21) steadied the ship but when Noach was run out and further wickets followed to leave Northwood on 87 for six, they needed help from the tail to post anything resembling a competitive score.
However, the lower order came to the rescue as David Goodhew (23), Amrit Latchman (15) and Nigel Hussey (29 not out) shepherded the score up to 155 all out from 53 overs.
Hatfield started their response well but a flurry of wickets fell and at 38 for four Hatfield captain Barry Phillips (29) came to the crease.
With the rest of the middle order he started to build some momentum although Noach (5-33), Andrew Shar-land (3-49) and Paul Richardson (2-23) continued to nibble away at the line-up.
Wickets fell at regular intervals and Hatfield were finally bowled out for 125 in the 44th over to give North-wood a second successive win and take them up to seventh in the table. [25a0] The second team lost several players to the firsts and although Keith Watson and Ranjit Latchman (14) built their usual solid opening partnership, putting on 48, a flurry of wickets left them on 69 four four.
Watson (53) and Nick Nicholson (24) took the score to 111 but another collapse meant Northwood were all out for 133. Baldock easily got home in 39 overs for the loss of only four wickets, with only the late introduction of Jack Spiers, who claimed two for eight from five overs, holding them up. [25a0] Kuram Rana (71) again scored freely with others chipping in around him as the thirds enjoyed an excellent win by 68 runs against Potton Town II.
Rana helped the team to 156 all out and then he and Shammi Herai bowled a tight opening spell.
Dennis Cave (4-34) came out of retirement to take four wickets, matched by the evergreen Paul Reeve (4-26) as they bowled out Potton for 88. [25a0] Northwood will travel to Home Counties Premier League Division One side Welwyn Garden City in the second round of the Hertfordshire Cup after defeating Northchurch by five wickets.
Northchurch started well but Alex Mason (1-31) and David Goodhew (0-30) halted the charge and Paul Richardson and James Lewis later benefitted from their tight spell, taking four wickets each to restrict the opposition to 197 all out.
The dependable Keith Watson (69) and Steve Hussey (31) put on 80 for the third wicket and David Goodhew made 41 not out to win the game inside 46 overs.
