Hertford 1s can't stop the rot against strong North Mymms side

Hertford 1s welcomed 3rd placed North Mymms to Balls Park with a disappointing record of just 1 win from their opening 5 fixtures. In the first longer format game of the season, Hertford were put into bat by Mymms stand-in skipper Jeyaratnam.

Jeyaratnam’s decision to bowl first was immediately justified as Rhett Bridgens had Richard Leather trapped LBW in the 1st over with just 2 runs on the board. It didn’t take long for Mymms to strike again as Ian Harris was snaffled at 1st slip in the next over of the bowling of Rhys Wynne.

At 3-2, Hertford yet again faced the prospect of another disappointing batting display when Ben Cowell joined Will Ray at the crease. Cowell and Ray batted confidently for several overs, taking the score up to 37 when the energetic and accurate Bridgens claimed his 2nd LBW victim with Ray pinned in front.

Hertford’s top order collapse exposed the middle order and they could do little to stem the flow of wickets with Stuart Barker (4) and James Leather (1) falling cheaply. The resilient Cowell continued to dig in but his defiance was ended for 29 when he was caught behind off the bowling of Jigar Mehta. Hertford’s lower order showed some much needed fight with useful contributions from the returning Rob Slater (23) and Olly Folland (22 not out) but the final score of 121 looked well below par on what was a typically flat Hertford wicket. Rhett Bridgens was the pick of the Mymms bowlers with impressive figures of 4-45 from his 20 overs.

In need of early wickets, Hertford opening bowlers Leather and Slater started well against a Mymms pair of Qayyum and Millard who were looking to knock off the low total in quick time. Slater, who is returning to 1st team action after a few years away from the sport, bowled with energy and purpose and was rewarded when he had Qayyum well caught by wicket-keeper Cowell.

With a glimpse of hope on the horizon, off-spinner Olly Folland then had Mymms’ Jeyaratnam out LBW to leave the score at 44-2. Any optimism was quickly quashed by Mymm’s pro and number 4 Steve Snell who played the spin well and knocked off the remaining runs in quick fashion. Snell finished with 54 not out from just 31 balls.

The defeat to North Mymms leaves Hertford in an ominous position at the bottom of the premier division. Hertford know they will need to put in a huge performance when they travel to fellow league-strugglers Potters Bar next weekend.

Link to scorecard:
http://hertford.play-cricket.com/website/results/3081326