Villagers on course in promotion battle

6:03pm Wednesday 4th July 2001

Shenley Village II 170-9

Hemel Hempstead IV 181

Herts Cricket League

Division Ten

The Villagers' promotion bid is still on course thanks to a draw with Hemel on Saturday afternoon.

Shenley went into battle with four regular bowlers and three top batsmen missing, including big-hitting Barry Cashin, who was out with a back injury.

Shenley lost the toss and were put in to field. After a few extras in the early overs due to a lively track, bowlers Laurie Willingham and Danny Manzi tightened up, restricting Hemel to fewer than two runs per over.

Gary Burkhardt and Tony Munting made two catches each, picking up wickets that helped to increase the home side's score, and Shenley were given a boost by a clean bowled from Manzi.

But a sequence of dropped catches enabled Hemel to build a 70-run partnership, courtesy of Patton and Afiq.

Eventually Sam Seinthan ran out Patton, and Matt Woodward had Hemel's top scorer Afiq caught behind by wicket keeper Dave Stubbs.

This helped to turn the match around, and soon the Villagers were able to put a dent into their visitors' free scoring.

Matt Woodward took three more wickets from one end, and a direct hit from Manzi kept Shenley in contention.

Burkhardt bowled the last Hemel batsman, Foster, in the final over, leaving the Villagers chasing 181 runs from their 47 overs.

The score could have been considerably less if a few more catches had been successfully taken.

Bubs Willingham (42), Laurie's father, made a great start to Shenley's reply by racking up nine boundaries in his partnership with Seinthan (16).

Unfortunately, a succession of low scores from the next five batsmen kept the Villagers on 108-7 after 30 overs.

But a score of 182 was still attainable. When Burkhardt teamed up with Munting, they put on a 37-run partnership. Burkhardt (33no) went on to post a further 25 with James Davenall (11no).

The efforts of this trio, together with 38 extras, helped Shenley to finish a respectable 11 runs short, forcing a draw.

The Villagers' Ray McLennan said: "Considering we have a lot of regulars missing, we're doing well."

Shenley Village first team's division eight encounter with Parkfield II was cancelled, as the home side could not raise a squad.

*Shenley's youth section, the Colts, meet every Monday evening and Saturday morning at the Shenley Cricket Centre on Radlett Lane. The Colts are looking for new players, if you are interested telephone Mark Stear on 01923 859022.

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