Carnage!

Hosts UCA won the toss and elected to bat, but this decision rapidly backfired as they were reduced to 7-3 by some excellent bowling from Elstree duo Andy Green (2-49) and skipper Graham Cane (4-67).

With moisture on the pitch following rain earlier in the day, batting was difficult and, had Elstree not dropped five catches, the match would have been over very early indeed.

However, as the pitch dried out batting became easier and UCA played some nice shots: at one stage they seemed set for a large total.

Fortunately, Elstree stuck to their guns and wickets fell quickly towards the end, leaving UCA to declare in the 51st over on 201, and maximum batting points.

When it came to Elstree's reply, Bob Small suffered a pulled calf and needed a runner, but it was clear he had little movement and was consequently bowled for six with the score on 22. At the other end, Duncan Rowland was scoring freely, despite being unwell, and, with Martyn Dunn, he kept the board ticking over.

Rowland was eventually out for 22, caught in the gully, leaving Elstree on 48-2. As a result, UCA saw an opportunity to tear into their visitors.

However, the hosts wasted numerous chances to remove Martyn Dunn and Rowland's replacement Andy Green.

Thanks to the Dunn-Green partnership, the total grew steadily and at the midway drinks break, it was 84-2.

What followed after the break can only be described as carnage, with both men despatching the ball to all parts of the pitch. Green was the first to reach 50, with Dunn following shortly after. It soon became a case of how quickly Elstree would mop the floor with their hosts.

With runs coming at an average of ten per over at the end, the visitors reached their total in the 37th over, thus delivering maximum points.

UCA II 201-7 dec

Elstree 202-2

Herts Cricket League

Division Seven

*Elstree II's were 119 all-out in comparison to Hoddesdon III's 121-1 in a division nine match on Saturday.