Division Two: Northwood Town 200-6 (30pts) Beat Potters Bar II 145 (7pts) By 55 Runs

A TREMENDOUS 55-run win over Potters Bar II saw Northwood Town sneak into the top half of table on the back of a fantastic all-round team display.

Town fought back from the blow of several dubious umpiring decisions going against them to first post 200 in damp conditions and then tear through their hosts' batting following early resistance.

Skipper Raj Ahluwalia said: "Our attitude was excellent and everyone contributed to a well deserved win.

"We felt that a lot of luck went against us so to keep fighting back with that sort of performance was of great credit to all the players."

Ahluwalia elected to bat and he and Tim Piper put on 33 for the first wicket before the skipper was harshly given out LBW when the ball appeared to strike the bat. Rohan Lee steered Town to 75 before Piper (33) was also trapped in front and as the Potters attack began to tie down the Town batsmen, Phil Costard departed after trying to force the pace.

Johanes Van Ee was sent in to try and get the score moving but he was also given out LBW to a ball that seemed to hit the bat and disaster followed as Lee (37), who had played a pivotal holding role, departed to leave Town in trouble at 120 for five with 10 overs to go.

However, Mike Lister played a majestic innings to resurrect the Town effort, carving out an excellent partnership with Doling before the latter was given out LBW. Craig Newman joined Lister and they played intelligent cricket, working the singles and finding the boundary to boost Town to 200 off the final ball with six wickets down. Lister (47 not out) was inspirational with Newman (20 not out) also playing an important knock.

On a fast and bouncy wicket Town knew they had the attack to give the hosts a real game yet Dave Bushnell (1-50) and Doling had little luck as Potters Bar moved to 38 without loss.

Van Ee came on to try his hand but luck was also seemingly against him as an apparently clear snick was not heard by the umpire, yet such adversity fired up Town and suddenly the hosts slipped to 80 for three before a brilliant direct hit by Lister saw them lose another wicket.

Van Ee was on fire and he took yet another wicket to leave Potters on 85 for five, needing seven an over for victory.

Doling (3-40) replaced Van Ee for a short period and two quick wickets from him meant Potters, by now at 115 for seven, had to adjust their sights from victory to a draw. They tried to shut up shop but Van Ee returned to the attack to win the game for Town as he bowled tremendously to finish with five for 45 as Potters were dismissed for 145. [25a0] The seconds were disappointed not to win their game but they at least picked up a useful 17 bonus points from their draw with Old Finchleians.

In a game which lost 16 overs to the weather, Town were asked to bat and skipper Adam Hills once again led by example with 46 while Mike Peacock and Alan Armitage each scored 30 as Town made 203 for nine off 44 overs.

When Finchleians batted Ben Rawson-Jones was the star, taking four for 38 while Sean O'Neill took two for 52, but despite a good fielding performance Town could not force victory as the visitors finished on 148 for seven.