Radlett were relieved to hold out for a battling draw at home to Stevenage.

The hosts won the toss and decided to bowl but this decision failed to pay off as Stevenage eased their way to a dominant total of 272 for two from the 60 overs.

Sandeep Gulati was the only player to make any inroads as he took two for 87 but it was a tough day in the field for Radlett.

In reply, Nick Fielden hit 27 and opener Andre Sharma top scored with 68 off 96 balls. There were useful contributions from Jonathan McLean (24), Shane Burger (25) and Matt Corran (32).

But Tom Jenkins’ knock of 55 was crucial for Radlett as they struggled to stay afloat finishing up on 254 for eight.

Shenley Village also had to settle for a draw in Herts Division Two against Broxboune at Mill Lane.

Having won the toss, Shenley backed themselves to post a challenging total.

Opening batsman Lloyd Willingham – determined to reverse his rather disappointing start to the season – played himself in steadily, unruffled by the early loss of Tharic Sameem.

Joined at the crease by Australian Ryan Hammill, the pair ran quick singles and punished any bad balls to put on a wonderful partnership of 157 for the second wicket and take control of the game. After just over two hours of batting in the intense afternoon heat, and in the 43rd over, Hammill was run out for 78 by Dan Vann.

Two overs later, man-of-the-match Lloyd Willingham followed, caught for 85 after a two-and-a-half-hour stay at the crease, to bring the Shenley total to 177 for three.

Skipper Anooj Vadgama contributed a convincing 24 not out but those behind him failed to get going as spinner Robin Glassberg (four for 78) and young Liam Robinson (two for 46) restricted the visitors’ final total to 217 for eight after their 53 overs.

After tea, the Shenley bowlers made an almost immediate breakthrough as Dan Vann was caught by Hammill off seamer Craig Rawlings in the first over for a duck.

Opener Dan Smith put up some resistance, amassing 41 before he was caught at cover by Rifkhan Hameed off Dave Shelley. The middle order contributed some useful runs for Broxbourne but as the overs disappeared, so did a reasonable prospect of a home victory.

With six overs remaining, and Broxbourne eight wickets down on 166, Shenley gave their all in a push for their first win of the season.

But it was not to be and Broxbourne managed to survive for a draw, with wicket-keeper Terry White (18 not out) and number ten Charlie Harvey (six not out) undefeated. Bowlers Hameed, Shelley and Sameem took two apiece as Broxbourne survived on 174 for eight.

Shenley, who had by far the better of this encounter, took 18 points and will face strugglers St Margaretsbury in their next game.