Match reports and results for previous months can be found in the archive section.

Match reports 4th / 5th September

Knebworth Park's  memorable season finished in glorious style and in perfect weather on Saturday.

The first team made it 13 wins out of the last 14 games to overcome second-placed Langleybury with victory in the last over and their second team fought a tense and thrilling title decider against Welwyn Garden City to clinch the Division Three championship.

Then, in the evening for the first time, the club staged its awards presentation immediately after the last matches, attracting nearly every player from all the club's six elevens to round off a truly awesome effort by the whole of the club.

At Langleybury, Nathan Reardon, the Park's Aussie batsman, tore into the opening attack with a calculated assault on Beds fast bowler Mark Patterson. In total he hit fourteen 4s and five 6s in a dominating display. With support from Terry Morton 40 they added 132 for the second wicket. Once Reardon fell for a brilliant 115 to Cliff Spinks in the 30th over, the run-rate subsided. The introduction of left arm spinners Spinks 5 for 71 and Ross Channer 3 for 57 in to the attack, made the Park work hard to raise their total to 221 for 9. Both Adam Sergeant 11 and Krishan Canagasabey 13 chipped in with valuable contributions. With the wicket having proved responsive to spin bowling, skipper Ryan Skeggs chose to rely on his two expert spinners, Graham Fisher and Canagasabey. They also made run scoring difficult. Fisher bowled opener Greg Cooper for 16 to make the initial breakthrough at 42. Andy Patterson compiled a patient 35. With only 56 coming off the first 20 overs, Langleybury needed to step up the run rate but a double wicket maiden by Krishan had the Park on their way. They recovered to 109 for 3 before four wickets fell in quick succession to leave them struggling at 123 for 7 and needing batting points at the very least to secure promotion as runners-up. Both Krishan and Adrian Holmes took difficult catches in put the Park on top and Kam Akhtar had made a resolute 43. Lusty hitting by tailenders Josh Costello 42 and Hiten Dave 24 added 55 in only six overs. Costello eventually fell to a catch by Reardon off Fisher. A swift 10 from Khan ended with him being stumped. The last pair needed 14 off the last over for victory. Dave Steadman, back after honeymoon, played his part with a good catch off Krishan to dismiss Dave to clinch victory on the first ball of the final over to bowl the home side out for 208. Canagasabey ended with 4 for 77 and Fisher 6 for 115.

Click here for a photo of the Division One championship squad.

Only three points separated both Knebworth Park and Welwyn Garden City - the two dominant teams in Division Three - and the fixture programmers could not have planned it better than to have both playing each other on the final day of the season in perfect weather and conditions. From start to finish the match was filled with tension and excitement, and positive cricket played in a first-class spirit. Park skipper Steve Homes won the toss and elected to bat to gain the batting points required and to then bank on his bowlers preventing Welwyn Garden from winning. Welwyn Garden possibly thought that when they had run machine Jarrod Turner caught behind off Simon Bridgewater for 26 that they were on their way to victory. Understandably so because Turner's innings took his aggregate to 1012 - a league record across all divisions. With the Park struggling at 38 for 3, young batsmen Clayton Riley and Junior d'Abreu fought doggedly to re-build the innings against Welwyn Garden's canny and experienced bowling line-up. A crucial pivotal moment of the game was when Riley was dropped off Maz Iqbal at short mid-wicket when he was on 12. Gradually, their innings gathered momentum with both hitting an array of superb and powerfully struck boundaries. As they sought to pile on the runs even further, d'Abreu was bowled by CharlieTunnadine aiming for one more six for a marvellous 88 to end a stand of 189. The pace of run scoring did not relent and Riley hoisted a straight six for his century and then struck two more similar blows in the final over to end on 110 not out and to raise the Park's total to 256 for 4. The Park's young homespun pace attack of Tom Martin 2 for 27 and Riley 2 for 45 also had the visitor’s innings off to a poor start and they were soon 39 for 4. Tunnadine 53 and Ray Hodge 44 hauled the game round with a stand of 99 before both fell on 138, and the balance had shifted swiftly back in the Park's direction. Paul Woolley 52 not out kept the run chase alive adding 39 with Harry McHue who was run out for 16. At 177 for 7, you would still have favoured the Park. Then Iqbal struck a series of mighty blows and WGC had victory firmly within their sights and needed only 17 off the last two overs, only for Turner to find a route past Iqbal's bat to bowl him for a 33 in the penultimate over. Thirteen off the last over was very possible but Riley had the final say with six well directed deliveries that only conceded seven runs and Garden City ended on 251 for 8 for the Park to take 18 points to the visitors 5 to clinch the Division Three title.

Click here for a photo of the Division Three championship squad

The thirds lost a game they could have won in Division Five at Hertingfordbury. They eventually broke through with a good ball from Sean Robinson 2 for 17 and with Dan Henderson, 2 for 24, they put themselves in a strong position. Off spinner Tom Hemingway 3 for 31 was the pick of the bowlers as he and Robinson kept the runs down as well as taking wickets. They were backed up by some committed fielding and catching in hot conditions. Together with support from Alex Richmond they broke the back of their middle order. However, the heat and some disciplined batting from the Hertingfordbury lower order got them through to the 53rd over and up to a reasonable total of 175. In reply, using the old ball, they opened with Steve Rider bowling very accurate off spin to a well set field which made scoring difficult. Dan Henderson, however, hit a very quick and fluent 35 (including four successive fours) before getting out. The Park then struggled to keep up or near the rate with Hertingfordbury's bowlers bowling a generally tight line and length to well set fields. No one was able to wrestle the initiative. Ben Wilson scored 31 but absorbed a lot of balls which meant all the lower order had to score from the start and lost wickets as a result and they were bowled out for 146.

The fourths just missed out on promotion from Division Nine in spite of finishing with an easy win over a poor Elstree 2nds. Chris Johnson 61, Kai Patch 77 not out, Philip Simpson 45 and Sam Jones 36 not out all prospered against mediocre bowling and lax fielding in the hot conditions as they piled on 236 for 3 in 46.4 overs. Mark Taylor 4 for 25 and Ross Courtney 2 for 51 soon had wickets tumbling. They were backed up by superb catching from Jones and 'keeper Jono Evetts. Elstree’s negative batting risked seeing the game peter out in to a draw but Mike Fernando snapped up the last four wickets for 20 to dismiss the visitors for 164.

Hayden Bartlett-Tasker's innings of 88, supported by Paul Nash 33, John Inman 39 and David Haslam 23 piled on 226 for 7 for the fifths in their win over Hertford 4ths and then Haslam with 4-20 did most damage in bowling out the home side for 134.

The sixths rounded off their outstanding season with victory over Edmonton 5ths. Josh Roseberry remarkable figures of 5 for 2 destroyed the home team's tail in bowling them out for 88 in reply to Knebworth's 182 for 9 of which Mark Woods top scored with 59.

Nathan Reardon made his final weekend at Knebworth Park one to remember by scoring another century on Sunday in the Chess Valley League. With Dan Henderson hitting 74 they piled on 142 for the first wicket in chasing Harrow's 290 for 0. Reardon was then out in the same way as when he struck a record-breaking double century last season as Kai Patch 20 fiercely drove the ball back at the bowler and it cannoned on to the stumps to run him out. In the end, they fell 28 short of victory, finishing all out for 263 in the final over.

In spite of half centuries by Steve Gregory and Graham Martin the Park's second team lost out to Harrow in their Chess Valley League game. Gregory 58, Philip Simpson 34, a useful 23 from under-13 Richard Leather and Graham Martin 73 not out took the score to a modest 219 for 4. The visitors batting proved too strong for the Park in spite of a superb spell of 3 for 10 by Tom Hemingway and they won with three overs to spare with 223 for 5.

Darren Lathrope's 47 was the highlight of the thirds total of 198 for 8 and visitors Belmont Rangers won comfortably by six wickets with Eddie Large getting 2 for 12.

The end of season awards after the final league matches on Saturday illustrated the club's successful season and sheer enthusiasm at the club.

Presenting the awards on the club's balcony, the club's President Lord Cobbold congratulated the whole club for its magnificent season. 'This year has been the reward for hard work throughout the club for several years in running its thriving youth policy and the hard work this season by all the players.'

James Wright, the club's Playing Committee Chairman, also praised the efforts of the players, remarking that over 40 players across all six league sides had an average of over 20 in the league. 'This been an outstanding year for the first and second teams in winning their leagues and the fifth team gaining promotion. To run sixth sides has also been a marvellous effort. I know that there is no other club in the county with six league sides, and I wonder whether there is another in the whole country.'

First team captain Ryan Skeggs impressed the importance of the effort of the whole club and that the season's season has been the result of years of youth development and in encouraging everyone to compete and enjoy their cricket.

Herts 'keeper Tom Jenkins scooped two of the trophies in the Park's awards for the 2004 season. Jenkins, who spent the winter in Australia, returned a better and stronger player, playing a key role in the Park's successful season and for his efforts he was named the club's Most Improved Player and took the Fielding Award. He was leading the race for the batting trophy until Aussie Nathan Reardon came up on the rails in the last two matches to beat him to that one, Reardon finishing with a total of 670 runs.

Skipper Ryan Skeggs who topped the batting averages won the Les Burt Trophy for the Performance of the Season for his innings of 74 not out in chasing the daunting target of 262 for 4 to defeat Langleybury in July that took them to the top of the table for the first time - a position they retained for the remainder of the season.

Graham Fisher's six wickets in the final match ensured he gained the bowling trophy with a total of 39 wickets.

There was no contest for the second team award with Jarrod Turner staggering total of 1012 runs being the main ingredient in the second's success. However, Junior d'Abreu developed under his guidance and won the Young Player of the Year with his innings of 88 on Saturday justly confirming his achievement.

Steve Gregory's all-round batting (scoring 310 runs) and wicket keeping performances lifted the third team shield, while under-15 'keeper Jono Evetts, who also played some important innings with the bat, won the fourth team award. Club coach Jeff Crowley, who took 23 wickets and scored 256 runs was the best performer for the fifths.

The new sixth team trophy went to another Under-15 - Hayden Bartlett-Tasker - for his 95 runs and eight wickets in the team's late entry in to Division 13.

Click here for a full list of award winners.

Match reports 28th / 29th August.

Knebworth Park’s first team proved their worth as champions of Saracens Herts League Division One on Saturday in outclassing Abbots Langley. 

On a surface sodden by rain throughout the week, the Park showed simply too much power with bat and ball and a polished fielding display. Tom Jenkins 32 and Adrian Holmes 20 set the Park off to a positive start of 48 for the first wicket in conditions that were always likely to favour the bowlers. Both openers and Terry Morton all perished edging short pitched deliveries that deceived them through lack of pace. Ryan Skeggs was in no mood to be undermined by the conditions and set about the bowling in aggressive style with powerful driving. Together with Nathan Reardon, who also played some brilliant shots, they sent the score racing on to 107 for 4. Then, Skeggs who had just hit a superb lofted off drive was caught in two minds and chipped an easy catch to square leg for an important 34. It was a wicket that demanded careful shot selection and positive attacking stroke play. Junior d'Abreu had started in the right vein before he fell for 13 in similar fashion to Skeggs. Junior played a useful supporting role in a stand of 56 as Reardon moved in to top gear with an invaluable 71.From thereon the Park innings declined quickly and disappointingly with no one seeking to play the anchor role to support Reardon and they were all out for 182 in 46 overs, leaving the visitors an additional seven overs to chase the target. As events were to prove, those additional overs assisted the Park's effort to win as they gave Abbots Langley the extra incentive to chase for victory. Abbots badly needed victory to aid their fight against relegation and to accumulate points they had had not helped their cause by inviting the Park to bat first. The Park's bowlers illustrated their superiority by bowling a consistent line and length that had Abbots batsmen under pressure throughout. There's probably no better bowler in the league on a green surface than Chris Brook and he repeatedly beat the bat. At the other end Adam Sergeant followed suit after an indifferent start.Indeed, it was left-armer Sergeant who made the breakthrough when he had opener Ian Cantellow easily caught at deep extra cover by Holmes. A more important dismissal came in similar fashion but with a far more difficult catch when they removed dangerman Ricardo Mohammed who scored a century in their previous encounter. Sergeant also bowled the experienced Dave Carlisle to finish with 3 for 38. Meanwhile Brook had excellent figures of 3 for 37 as Abbots struggled to 118 for 7 with Sam McCrow taking a fine catch in the deep off Graham Fisher bowling for the seventh wicket. A gutsy innings of 49 by Barry Warner kept the visitors in the game and together with Phil Hobbs 15 and James Dunstone 14 kept alive their hopes of winning. The dead eyed throwing of Reardon broke the eighth wicket partnership to remove Dunstone , Fisher bowled Warner and to complete the victory he then dived to take a caught and bowled to end with 3 for 46 to bowl out Abbots for 152, the last three falling for the addition of only one run. 

Jarrod Turner scored his fourth century of the season to take his aggregate to an incredible 986 runs as he led the Park seconds to an emphatic victory over relegation strugglers Cottered in Division Three. After losing the toss, the Park batted first and Turner 116 and Ben Lewis 71, playing with immaculate technique,  made light work of the difficult batting conditions in piling on 191 for the first wicket as they progressed to 244 for 4 in only 45 overs. Turner, captaining in the absence of skipper Steve Holmes, opened with a slow bowling combination of himself and Karl Padalia, 2 for 35, which restricted the home side to only 36 for 3 in the first 15 overs. Pacemen Paul Slade 3 for 20, Clayton Riley 3 for 12 and Tom Martin 1 for 9 then swept through the Cottered batting until No 11 Richard Munro struck a belligerent 26 to lift them from 73 for 9 to 114 all out. 

Chris Scott's excellent batting technique produced an outstanding innings of 81 not out that led the thirds to victory over Little Berkampstead - and  ensured that the Park avoided relegation from Division Five. Scott's superb stroke play made nonsense of the damp, bowler friendly conditions and together with Ben Wilson 46 took the Park to 155 for 3 in chasing the visitors 153 for 8 where James Wright 4 for 37 and Dave Salmon 3 for 39 were the outstanding bowlers. 

The fourths were denied the chance of victory on Saturday in Division Nine when bottom club Northampton Exiles cancelled the fixture because of their wet ground on a day when most clubs made their best efforts to play. Victory would have taken the Park to within three points of third place - with the top three going up - and they now have to win their final game and hope other results go their way. 

The fifth team became the Park's third sided to gain promotion this season, following the successes of the first and second teams. They leapfrogged from fifth place to gain the third promotion placed after fellow promotion chasers Baldock 2nds and Rickmansworth 3rds screwed up their game with low-scoring points in a draw. Mike Jones's fifths were awarded victory over Bragbury when their opponents conceded on Friday morning. Not expecting both their rivals to fail in their efforts to gain sufficient point, they did not discover their success until the news came through on Sunday morning. The fifths did have a friendly on Saturday away to Kings Langley 3rds. Henry Rivers 67 and Paul Nash 80 helped pile on 262 for 5 in 40 overs and then their hosts managed a mere 130 for 8 in reply, Hayden Bartlett-Tasker taking 3 for 15. The fifths winning by 132 runs in the 40 over match. 

The sixths slumped to defeat at home to Botany Bay 3rds. The Park were bowled out for only 50 as their batsmen struggled in the wet conditions and the visitors coasted home for the loss of three wickets. 

On Sunday in the Chess Valley League, the seconds had a comfortable win at Winchmore Hill. Graham Martin 85 and Dan Henderson 50 led them to 235 for 9 and then Michael Carter 3 for 47 was the most successful bowler in restricting the home side to 160 for 9. 

The thirds fixture away to Preston on Sunday was washed out with the home team on 117 for 6, Darren Lathrope having taken 3 for 25. 

Eddie Large, who has rarely experienced batting above No 11, was given the opportunity to open the innings in Sunday's fourth team friendly at home to Rosslyn and guided his team to victory with a best-ever 44. Together with Chris Dance 41, they added 70 for the third wicket and with a further two wickets falling soon after, they won by five wickets with 137 for 5 just before the heavens opened. Earlier, Hayden Bartlett-Tasker 3 for 6 and under-12 county player Tom Eaton 2 for 41, in his first senior game, kept the visitors to 136 for 7.

Match reports 21st / 22nd August.

Champagne fizzed in Formula One style as Knebworth Park players celebrated success in clinching the Saracens Herts League Division One championship and the second XI securing promotion from Division Three.

Their first team’s easy win over Leverstock Green was their eleventh win in 12 matches in an extraordinary run after they had an abysmal start to the season. They now lead second-placed Luton and Indians by a massive 71 points with two games to play. After their triumph, skipper Ryan Skeggs spoke to members of all the club’s six elevens in a packed clubhouse. ‘This was a great team effort,’ he said. ‘For many of the team it’s the result of years coming through the club’s brilliant Colts system. It is also a reflection on the outstanding club spirit where every side shows an interest in the others. There were a lot of concerns after we lost our first three matches, but I was sure we had a team that would come good. In fact, it was my vice-captain Dave Steadman who is away on honeymoon at the moment, who captained that first win over Dunstable. We never looked back after that.’

The club enjoyed crucial run chases over Langleybury and Abbots Langley and then had an outstanding bowling performance to beat Hertford.

On Saturday, their well-balanced five-man bowling attack pincered bottom club Leverstock Green.  In particular, Chris Brook’s mean figures of 1 for 34 kept the run rate to a snail’s pace. Only 25 came off the first 15 overs before Adam Sergeant 1 for 40 broke through with a smartly taken slip catch by Terry Morton. Graham Fisher, 3 for 34, then made in-roads into the visitors batting along with a superb run-out by Adrian Holmes. After 40 overs they only managed 98 for 4 and it was only 21 off the final two overs that boosted their total to 157 for 8. There was a nervous twitch at the start of the Park’s innings as Holmes and Morton fell cheaply. Tom Jenkins 53 and Nathan Reardon 49 soon asserted command, building the foundation and then stepping up the run-rate in a stand of 87. When they both departed, victory was in sight. Skeggs 26 not out and Junior d’Abreu 18 not out steered them home. Junior’s performance was satisfying. At the start of the season he struggled for form, re-built his confidence in the seconds. He completed victory in calypso style with a glorious six to complete victory - only for the umpire to signal a four!

Hopes of a league double for the first team were virtually sunk. in Sunday’s Chess Valley League match at home to Kenton. A below-par performance (which was probably the result of the previous day’s celebrations) saw them bowled out for only 158 with Adrian Holmes 43 not out top scoring. Kenton took only 25 overs to pass the total with 159 for 2.

The seconds secured promotion with a draw against fourth placed Cockfosters. Skipper Steve Holmes won the toss and elected to field as that gave the best chance to control the outcome of the match, with the intention of securing 30 points  to keep the pressure on leaders WGC. However the openers batted well on a slow paced pitch and made comfortable progress and moved Cockfosters to 140 without loss. The introduction of Jarrod Turner, 1 for 28, and Karl Padalia, 1 for 39, finally made the breakthroughs. Then Sandy Reynolds, 3 for 61, was reintroduced to snap up three wickets. Steve Holmes, in a rare spell, picked up two wickets. Cockfosters decided to allow their opener O’Leary the chance to make a meaningless hundred and that decision was to probably cost them the match as he took all 53 overs to do it, as the innings closed on 232 for 7. In reply Turner got the Park off to a good start and it was a surprise when he was out for 31. Ben Lewis struggled at the start as the wicket dried but to his credit battled hard and was rewarded by reaching a well made 50. At the other end wickets fell regularly and that hampered any real chance of making the target. Also opening bowler Hameed, 4 for 50 in 21 overs, turned from seam to spin and bowled with real turn to cause all the batsmen problems. This meant the rate required soared and in the end survived the final few overs on 162 for 8 to secure a draw and with it promotion.

The thirds narrowly failed to win at Chorleywood, although their ‘win-draw’ virtually ensures that they avoid relegation. On a difficult batting wicket, Mark Turner 21 again gave the m a solid start. Then, Steve Gregory 68 controlled the innings before Alex Richmond’s quick fire 43 boosted the total to 202 for 8. James Wright 2 for 37 and Dave Salmon 2 for 60 rocked the home team to 43 for 4 before a 115-run fifth wicket stand hauled them round. Then, Bret Painter’s four late wickets with 4 for 26 picked up more valuable points as the visitors closed on 180 for 8. The Park were never realistically in with a shout of winning as two of Painter’s wickets came in the final over.

The fourth’s were held to a draw in spite of a dominating performance against visitors Old Owens, and made any chance of promotion remote. Phil Simpson 94, Kai Patch 52 and Chris Scott 50 piled on 269 for 6. The visitors never looked likely to get anywhere near their total in spite of some friendly bowling with Chris Johnson taking 2 for 13 and Ross Courtney 2 for 41, and they ended on 195 for 6.

The fifths kept their promotion hopes alive with a crushing win over bottom club Hemel Hempstead 5ths. Chris Bollig 3 for 44 in 26 overs, Dave Mantle 2 for 31 in 10 overs and Mike Jones 1 for 9 in 11 overs, forced the home side to crawl to 93 all out. Ian Purvis 33 not out, Mark Folwell 39 and John Inman 15 not out took only 17 overs to secure a nine wicket win.

Josh Roseberry’s innings of 80 led the sixths to another win in beating Welwyn Garden City 4ths by 113 runs. Roseberry was backed up by Chris Bonser 46 in a total of 196 for 3, and then Michael Carter 4 for 28 bowled out the visitors for 87.

On Sunday, in the Chess Valley League, the seconds lost a thrilling match at Kenton by 15 runs. Dan Henderson 40 and Phil Simpson 33 top scored in the Park’s 221 all out in reply to the home team’s 236 for 7.

Allen Swann scored his first-ever half-century with 87 not out in the third team’s thrilling run chase against Baldock. In the 40-over match, the visitors totaled 199 for 8 and then the Park fell short in the run chase in spite of a 140-run third wicket stand between Swann and Harry Padalia 50. In the end, they were 20 runs short, finishing on a disappointing 180 for 5.

Match reports 14th / 15th August.

A brilliant bowling performance by Chris Brook and Nathan Reardon demolished Chorleywood on Saturday to take Knebworth Park’s first XI into a virtually unassailable lead at the top of the Saracens Herts League Division One.

They skittled out the home side for only 57 on a wicket that was way below the acceptable level. The Park then calmly knocked off the runs needed for the loss of two wickets. Their tenth victory of the season takes them 61 points clear at the top of the table after Langleybury lost in a low-scoring game against Hertford, and now a win this Saturday at home to Leverstock Green will secure the title with two games to spare. Chris Brook was making batting very difficult by extracting variable bounce and lateral movement off a dusty wicket. At the other end, Sam McCrow failed to hit the right area and was replaced after only two overs by Reardon. Once Reardon had bowled opener Paul Downing for 17, Brook had fellow opener Watson brilliantly caught behind by Tom Jenkins the next over, diving in front of first slip. From 27 for 2, Chorleywood’s innings descended rapidly to 46 for 9. Then only a positive effort from No 11 Russell with 9 not out boosted the total to a meagre 57 all out in just 27 overs. Jenkins and Holmes began their reply cautiously; apprehensive at how the wicket would play, working hard to build a firm base. Gradually they grew in confidence before both were out caught for 15 apiece seeking to attack first change bowler Watson Then, Reardon 10 not out and Terry Morton 5 not out secured victory by eight wickets with 60 for 2.

This Saturday’s match at home to Leverstock Green will start half an hour early at 12.30 to allow ‘keeper Tom Jenkins to catch the train for Newcastle to play the following day for Hertfordshire against Northumberland.

The Park had another easy win on Sunday when visitors Northwood won the toss and chose to bat first, a decision that wrecked the match. Their woeful batting could only manage 118 out Tom Hemingway 3 for 36, Reardon 2 for 24, Krishan Canagasabey 2 for 23 and Adrian Holmes 2 for 3. In an effort to gain an improved  run rate to close the gap on Tring at the top of the Chess Valley League, Jarrod Turner 69 not out and Tom Jenkins 49 not out sped to 122 for 0 in only 16 overs to complete another overwhelmingly victory. In spite of their impeccable effort, they still remain narrowly behind Tring.

The second team maintained their bid for promotion at the first attempt from Division Three after being relegated last year with a convincing win over Rebourn. In spite of the rain throughout the week, the Park’s wicket played extremely well. The Park’s bowlers kept a stranglehold on the visitors’ batting with Clayton Riley opening with 1 for 24. Then, Paul Slade, 2 for 54, bowled in tandem with Sandy Reynolds, 6- 41, whose snagging accuracy progressively nibbled away at the Redborn batting order before they were dismissed for 149 in the final over. There was an early setback as both openers Jarrod Turner 1 and Dave Sanders 14 fell cheaply as the Park slipped to  33 for 2. Then, Stuart Burford 92 unleashed an innings of awesome power that included five 6s. Such was his dominance that the third wicket stand with Paul Slade 29 not out added 103. With victory in the bag and a century at his mercy, Burford attempted to surge towards three figures with another powerful shot, only to be well caught on the boundary for a superb 92. Riley also fell before the end to finish on 153 for 4.

The third team clinched a vital victory over Boxmoor 2nds in their effort to avoid relegation from Division Five. Accurate bowling by Bill Martin 6 for 59 and Tom Hemingway 4 for 45 bowled out the visitors for 163. Graham Martin 50 and Mark Turner 32 then built a match winning foundation with a second wicket stand of 80 and then skipper Mark Klimek 20 not out and the hard hitting Anthony Price 21 not out completed the task to achieve a much-needed win with 164 for 4.

The fourth team found the accurate bowling and the low bounce of the Weston wicket too much in their promotion tussle. Philip Simpson 21 and Chris Scott 42 had done much of the hard work when they gave their wickets away. The middle order then failed to show the resilience which has been a strong feature of the side all season. As a result they then slumped from 86 for 4 to 114 all out. Kai Patch picked up 2 for 24 including a brilliant catch by young ‘keeper Jono Evetts as the home side easily won with 117 for 3 on a wicket which improved as the game progressed.

The fifths were held to a dull draw by Bushey 2nds. After the visitors won the toss and elected to bowl, they then made little effort to chase the Park’s total of 157 for 9 in spite of being offered some inviting bowling. Mark Folwell 50 and Ian Purvis 26 gave the innings the perfect start but thereafter only Michael Carter 12 and Graeme Easton 17 made any significant contributions in lifting the total to 157 for 9. Chris Bollig 4 for 36 and Mike Jones 4 for 36 were unable to bowl out the visitors who crawled to 107 for 8.

The sixths had another win in proving too strong for Bishop’s Stortford 4ths who were bowled out for 129 with Ollie Croft 2 for 12 and Paul Nash 3 for 19 doing the damage. Nash 53 and skipper Steve Jenkins 41 with an opening stand of 93 set them on their way to an eight-wicket win to end on 131 for 2.

On Sunday, in the seconds’ friendly fixture, Jono Evetts 55 and Steve Gregory 40 top scored in 188 for 4 declared and visitors Goodwill Wanderers ended on 167 for 8.

In the first fixture for several years against Kimpton, the Park’s thirds went down by 43 runs. Robert Crowe 2 for 15 had the home side on the rack at 64 for 4 when skipper Mark Folwell opened the game up and the Park’s former colts Alex Burrows 89 not out and Tom Lincoln 12 not out lifted Kimpton to 164 for 6. Only a hard-hit 30 from Lewis Clark and last pair Crowe 11 and Chris Bollig 15 not out made any impression with the bat in a final total of 121.

Match reports 7th / 8th August.

Knebworth Park’s first XI maintained their lead at the top of the Saracens Herts League Division One with a comfortable win over Dunstable at The Park on Saturday. With second-placed Langleybury also winning, Ryan Skeggs' team are still 41 points clear with four games remaining, two of which are against the bottom two teams and the final match pitches the top two against each other.

Importantly, the Park are 59 points clear of third-placed Luton as the league have announced that the top two teams will be promoted and not only one as was previously understood, so promotion could be clinched within the next two matches.

After losing the toss, Knebworth Park were asked to field first in the sweltering heat and for the most part stuck to their task efficiently. Opening bowler Chris Brook had the batsmen under pressure without being able to make a breakthrough in 18 tight overs that cost only 34 runs. Graham Fisher also made run scoring difficult and eventually broke the opening partnership of 74 in the 28th over when he bowled Chris Stearn for 23. Sharp fielding by Sam McCrow ran out No 3 bat Moody. Then, Fisher missed a caught and bowled chance off impressive left-hand opener Ian Bartholomew but then took a more difficult chance to dismiss him for 50. Wickets began to fall quickly with Fisher going on to take 5 for 54 in 19 overs and Krishan Canagasbey's leg spin again posing problems in taking 2 for 54. A brilliant throw by Nathan Reardon also brought another run out. At 148 for 9, Dunstable threw caution to the wind and the Park's efficient fielding deserted them as they wilted in the heat, missing a hatful of chances to take the final wicket. Dunstable's skipper Steve Watts hitting a valuable 43 not out in adding 39 for the last wicket to take the total to 187 for 9. With Adrian Holmes missing because of illness, Ben Lewis stepped into the side, showing outstanding fitness in the field which was not a surprise as the next day he was embarking on a ten-day charity cycle ride from John O'Groats to Lands End for which he had been training hard. Lewis, who first started at the club 20 years ago in the under-10s, returned this season after a long absence, and has risen through the teams from the fourth eleven. He helped to give the innings a solid start before he was out for 12 to a brilliant diving catch. With fellow open Tom Jenkins in prime form they added 41. Terry Morton 17 helped add a further 40 and Nathan Reardon chipped in with 18. Then, skipper Ryan Skeggs took hold of the reply by the scruff of the neck with an innings of authority against a useful Dunstable attack. Skeggs 48 not out and Jenkins 84 scored at almost seven an over to win with nearly five overs to spare with 191 for 4.

The second team remain top of Division Three in spite of losing to Wormley after second-placed Welwyn Garden City were penalised for not providing an umpire. Wormley won toss and elected to bat and Tom Martin struck in his first over with Andy Holmes taking a smart catch. That was the only breakthrough for some time as Wormley's key player Steve March built a solid innings of 66. Karl Padalia replaced Robinson and despite bowling some good deliveries and being unfortunate to have a catch dropped Turner replaced him after nine quite expensive overs. Sandy Reynolds 5 for 49 was in great form however and gained a breakthrough followed shortly after by Jarrod Turner 4 for 39 removing March. The pair then bowled right through to bowl Wormley out for 211 in the final over. The Park stuck to their task well in the heat but will have to look to improve their catching. In reply the Park lost Ben Wilson in a mix up with Jarrod Turner. This brought Stuart Burford to the crease and his partnership with Turner was always going to be vital. However an lbw decision by the home umpire brought gasps from all around as it removed Turner for 28. Perhaps it was not just the players feeling the heat? Burford blasted 42 before a collapse left the Park 108 for 9. This was the cue for Padalia’s pyrotechnics as he smashed the ball to all parts for 43 in a last wicket stand of 51 that raised the total to 159 all out to clinch two valuable points.

The thirds picked up useful points at they went down by six wickets to Preston 2nds in their Division Five match. A good team effort with the bat lifted their total to 250 all out. Henry Rivers 31 and Dan Henderson 35 gave them an encouraging start, skipper Mark Klimek 27 and Steve Gregory 48 held the middle of the innings together and then Alex Richmond 45 and Bret Painter 31 not out provided venom in the tail. The Park bowlers were never able to pressurise and the home side who coasted to victory with former Park player Dave Saunders scoring a match winning 106 not out in a total of 253 for 4.

The fourths moved one point behind fourth-placed Sawbridgeworth 3rds after gaining the lion's share of the points in a well contested draw in Division Nine on Saturday. Surprisingly, Sawbo chose to field first in the sizzling heat and Kai Patch 70 led the Park to a useful but not insurmountable total of 231 for 7. Mike Fernando 23, Ian Woods 24, David Haslam 26 and Jono Evetts 24 all gave valuable support. The visitors progressively slipped behind the run rate against accurate bowling by Mark Taylor 2 for 65, Ross Courtney who bowled 23 overs unchanged 5 for 81 and Fernando 1 for 30, backed up by committed fielding. Opening bat Ted Levy scored an unbeaten 100 not out but lacked support and as they strived to step up the scoring they lost wickets and in the end were thankful for a draw at 216 for 8.

The fifths slipped to fifth in the table in Division 11 after losing to runaway leaders Ickleford Cricketers. Sanjay Chandarana 36 and Jeff Crowley 51 held the innings together in falling one short of two more batting points in being dismissed for 169, and the visitors then knocked off the runs for the loss of only two wickets in ending on 170 for 2, Robert Crowe taking both with 2 for 32.

In spite of the Division 13 season having finished and considering the numerous holidays and illness that this week bedeviled selection throughout the club, the Park were still able to raise six elevens for the 12th time this season. They enjoyed a thrilling win over Flamstead 2nds who finished three runs short in a 40 over match, the Park scoring 240 all out and Flamstead ending on 237 for 8. Skipper Steve Jenkins 25 gave the innings a sound start, under-15 all-rounder Lewis Clarke hit a powerful 62 to raise the tempo in the middle order and then Dave Leather 44 and James Benson 25 not out added 88 for the ninth wicket. Eddie Large then took 5 for 51 to reduce the home side to 109 for 6 before they also recovered in dramatic style in a superb close finish.

The Park won a thrilling Chess Valley League match against Middlesex league leaders Eastcote on Sunday - but lost their lead at the top of the table because Tring Park edged ahead on run rate. Clayton Riley 72 and Stuart Burford 39 led an impressive team batting display of 239 all out and then had Eastcote at 123 for 7. The home side's captain David Goodchild turned the game on its head with an innings of awesome power in hitting 100 not out and may have won the game but lost the strike at the start of the final over thanks to brilliant fielding by Kai Patch. Dan Henderson 3 for 28, Reardon 2 for 28 and Mark Taylor 1 for 19 also bowled economically in dismissing the home side for 224.

The second team were unable to keep the Potters Bar batsmen in check and lost by five wickets in their Chess Valley League match on Sunday. Graham Martin 71 and Ian Woods 61 salvaged Knebworth's innings from 24 for 3 with a stand of 128 and then Graham Fisher 30 not out and Hayden Bartlett-Tasker, 11 not out, added 40 to lift the total to 202 for 6 which was no where near enough on the fast outfield, and the visitors won with 205 for 5 with two overs to spare.

Under-13 Richard Leather struck an impressive 45 in the third team's defeat against Rednecks on Sunday. Chasing the visitors 282 for 8, they were all out for 190 with Darren Lathrope 46 and Mark Folwell 25 hitting out in vain.