Elstree 132-5 Totteridge II 129 Saracens Hertfordshire Cricket League Division Seven Following a successful tour of Bournemouth during the Bank Holiday week, Elstree entertained local rivals Totteridge at Aldenham Road on Saturday.

With a lovely summer's day in the offing, Elstree won the toss and elected to put Totteridge into bat on a wicket which looked as though it would offer assistance early on.

Little did Elstree's skipper Martyn Dunn know at this stage the importance of winning the toss.

With no regular wicketkeeper available to Elstree, Lee Digweed stepped up to the plate despite being exhausted from his week in Bournemouth!

The opening spells from Kenroy (5-1-20-0) and Chanaka (9-2-38-1) were extremely lively and Totteridge soon offered up their opening batsmen, with a run out (Chanaka) thrown in for good measure.

A change of bowling was then instigated with Graham Cane (7-3-19-2) and Dunn (6-1-23-2) coming on to bowl. Wickets continued to fall at regular intervals despite some dogged defence by the Totteridge batsmen.

When Hisham came onto bowl Totteridge were rocking on 63 for six.

In his first game this season, Hisham was firing on all cylinders and soon started to intimidate the batsmen with his left arm quick bowling. With a spell of 6-0-23-3 he was clearly the pick of the Elstree bowling attack.

Totteridge finally ended their innings on 129 all out after just 33 overs.

Elstree knew it would be tough on a wicket which gave bowlers a chance if a good line and length were bowled. Elstree were an opening batsmen down, but out of form Logan courageously offered his services to take on the new ball.

Gutsy batting from Logan supporting the ever flamboyant Dave Barnett (11), saw Elstree get off to a steady start until Barnett became Totteridge's first victim.

Chanaka was next man in and despite a dominant innings in the last game in Bournemouth he was caught behind cheaply for three.

Elstree were now struggling on 16 for two. It was time for a steadying influence when the captain came to the crease. Some sensible batting from both Logan and Dunn saw the score rise to 78 for two before Logan was bowled for 11 from a beautiful delivery by Mahmood from Totteridge.

Faizal then joined his skipper and the score continued to grow. Faizal went for one too many shots and was bowled for 14, leaving Elstree 30 runs short of chalking up their second win of the season. Rishan came out to bat and supported his captainwell, who now was playing some exquisite shots all around the ground.

With just eight runs needed Rishan was caught on his crease by a superb delivery by Hussein and Leroy Theophile had no hesitation to give him out LBW.

Elstree now knew that victory was in their grasp and with two further lusty blows by Dunn (58 Not Out) the game was over with 30 points secured.

After the game Captain Dunn said: "It had been a long and tiring week and it was fitting that Elstree's touring week had finished with a victory.

"The effort and commitment shown today was superb and if the lads continue this throughout the season, I'm certain 2004 will prove to be another successful season."

Elstree travel to Old Cholmeleians on Saturday to look to continue on their winning ways. Howzat! Elstree celebrate Graham Cane bowling out Totteridge batsman Safraz JONATHAN GOLDBERG