Youngster Richard Is King Of The Village

12:00am Saturday 1st January 2000

Knebworth Park 159-9

Shenley Village 153

Hertfordshire Division Four

Shenley remain bottom of the table after losing to Knebworth in a match that went down to the wire.

A magnificent half century from 15-year-old Richard Mason and Steve Scott's 41 had kept Shenley in the hunt right up until the last over, as they chased a target of 159.

When Scott fell, Shenley were 147 for 9 and a tense finish was in store.

But with no wickets in hand, Shenley were always up against it and Knebworth finally claimed the scalp they needed to grab victory by just six runs.

Shenley lost the toss and were asked to field. The hosts were soon in trouble with the loss of two early wickets and only 12 runs on the board.

But a stand of 73 for the fourth wicket helped Knebworth reach a total of 159 for nine off 53 overs.

The score was kept at a reasonable target by some athletic fielding and tight bowling.

Tony Shadbolt (4 for 36) and Steve Scott (2 for 35) were ably supported by the Lillywhite brothers, Ed and Frank.

Once again, a poor start haunted Shenley. The opener was run out with just three runs on the board, and Shenley went on to reach 20 for 2. When Chris Doyle fell for 11, his side were in trouble but the next batsman, Mason, attacked the bowling with his swashbuckling style.

The youngster hit 51 off just 38 balls. While he controlled one end of the wicket, Shenley were in the run race. However, at the other end wickets continued to fall.

Skipper Steve Scott came to the crease after the departure of Mason and hit some hefty blows. No support was forthcoming until Matt Woodward stepped in and together they put on 42 for the ninth wicket.

Shenley were left to rue their poor start as Knebworth took the final wicket in the 41st over. Six first teamers will be back in action this Saturday for Shenley's clash with Hertford (1.30pm start).

SHENLEY: Fuller, Seinthan, Doyle, Kemp, F. Lillywhite, Mason, Scott, Stubbs, Woodward, E. Lillywhite, Shadbolt.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000.Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.

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