Luton Town & Indians 264-7 (19pts) drew with Northwood 223-9 (12pts)
DOGGED Northwood hung on to claim a draw with Luton Town & Indians who so nearly named England bowler Monty Panesar in their team.
Panesar was due to feature until he was called up by Northants on Friday night but Luton hardly missed him, at least with the bat as they raced to 128 without loss in just 21 overs.
J Page (70) and H Randerwala (67) were finally separated and Raj Latch-man, fresh from a relaxing holiday and Alex Mason, who normally keeps wicket, tightened things up before Luton's overseas player P Jayaprakasdaran again forced the pace until he became Latchman's (2-81) second victim.
James Lewis (2-65) and Stuart Reeve (2-19) also claimed a couple of scalps but 264 for seven was still some total, particularly when Northwood slipped to 52 for four in reply.
Alex Mason was in fine form as he sweetly hit 63 before a rush of blood brought him down the wicket and he was bowled and at 148 for six, with plenty of overs left and with the in-form David Goodhew and Reeve at the crease, the chase was still on.
However, when Reeve was bowled for 30 Northwood shut up shop and when Goodhew (41) was bowled off the last ball of the game the hosts had reached a creditable 223 for nine. * Northwood seconds travelled to Berkhamstead and although the normally reliable Ranjit Latchman got out cheaply after they elected to bat, Keith Watson continued his good form as he anchored the innings before falling three runs short of a century to a shot that on any other ground would have been six.
He was helped by Andy Powell-Williams (45) and Hanif Moledina (29 not out) as the team got to 206 for five in their 53 overs.
The hosts got off to a good start but were halted by Ashley Woodward, who returned from injury to take three for 38 in his 13 overs, and although Berko continued the charge they fell short at 192 for eight, after Mike Blomberg grabbed two wickets and Iyyaz another. * Richard Mackey is in the form of his young life and he scored an unbeaten 109 as the third team declared on 229 for six after 50 overs against West Herts III.
Robert Fells (29) and Rob Reeve (20) chipped in yet West Herts were right in the game despite Dennis Cave (2-32) and Paul Reeve (2-33) bowling fairly tightly and it was not until Nilesh Patel came on and claimed four for 31 that West Herts were bowled out for 188 to go down by 41 runs.
The highlight of the game was a catch from Adam Bailey who is normally known as the glass crocodile but he took a screamer at gully and is still celebrating.
