Hertford 1s lose to Bishop's Stortford in low scoring affair

The Bank Holiday weekend brought Bishop's Stortford to Balls Park to take on a Hertford side fresh off the back of their first league victory of the season against Luton Town and Indians. Bishop's Stortford won the toss and asked Hertford to bat, for the first time in the league this season.

Hertford started poorly as captain Richard Leather was adjudged LBW off the bowling of veteran Tim Smith, in the first over, to leave Hertford 0-1. Through the significant contrast in bowling styles, Smith combined effectively with Chad Barrett to create pressure on Hertford and both Elliot King and Ian Harris fell soon after to leave Hertford in trouble at 17-3. The Ray brothers, Will and Ollie combined to create some momentum and took Hertford to 66-3 before Ollie Ray was unfortunate to see the ball deflect off the underside of his thigh guard and onto his stumps. Hertford struggled to rebuild effectively and when the set batsman, Will Ray, was dismissed for 36 by Pike, a lot of work was required to build a competitive total. The lower order applied themselves admirably, however, through tight bowling and not being given the benefit of doubt on close umpiring decisions were unable to push on. The innings ending in controversy when Carlson was adjudged to have been caught at first slip when the ball had appeared to bounce, Hertford ending on 132.

The Bishop's Storford response started positively as they looked to make light work of Hertford's below par total. However, they did not have things all their own way as James Leather beat a tentative defensive prod from Stortford captain Eddie Ballard to bowl him for 21. In quick succession Leather then removed Chatfield and Travis Hussain for 4 and 5 respectively, to leave Bishop's Stortford 50-3. Mel Hussain and Barrett counter-attacked effectively from this position to take the score to 99, before Mel Hussain edged a ball from Richard Leather through to stand-in keeper Elliot King. Hertford were disappointed to have a strong LBW shout turned down against Barrett off the bowling of Carlson, which would have given Hertford the opportunity to put some pressure on the Stortford lower order. Richard Leather bowled Alex Palmer to reduce Stortford to 115-5 but Barrett and Greenall were able to take the visitors home without any more damage.