Frustrating loss for Hertford 1s at Potters Bar

9th place Hertford travelled to take on 8th place Potters Bar for a mid season 60 pointer with the two sides only a handful of points apart. As temperatures approached 30 degrees, Potters Bar surprisingly elected to field first, having won the toss.

This decision paid early dividends as Hertford slipped to 30-3, Richard Leather, Elliot King and Ollie Ray all dismissed early on. However, this kick-started a Hertford fightback as Will Ray and Ian Harris began to build a promising partnership. The scoring rate increased towards lunch as Potters Bar rotated their spin heavy attack, and Will Ray passed 50 for the first time this season. At lunch Hertford were 113-3, with a promising platform from which to push on in the afternoon session.

However, the second ball after lunch saw Will Ray back in the pavilion for a well-compiled 64, stumped off a ball which turned and bounced considerably to beat the bat. Only 8 runs later it was Harris who was dismissed for a resilient 33 but with Hertford's platform now dented.

Hertford's dangerous middle order pairing of James Leather and Ben Cowell set about rebuilding in a positive manner both scoring at around a run a ball as they put on 57 for the 6th wicket before Leather was well caught on the boundary for 34. Cowell later fell for 42 and number 9 Rob Slater played a useful hand ending on 32 not out as Hertford batted out their 60 overs to end on 240-9.

With James Leather and Jon Ryan opening the bowling, Hertford started well kept the Potters Bar scoring rate below 3 an over with the Potters Bar openers struggling to get away. With chances at a premium Hertford disappointingly dropped former Hertford captain Steve Gale in successive balls with the score on 50, the second chance in particularly bad miss.

This blow gave Potters Bar some impetus as Gale and Palmer both passed 50. The first wicket eventually fell with Ryan dismissing Palmer for 58. This gave Hertford hope and when they dismissed Gale a few runs later for 95, leaving Potters Bar for 169-2 they saw a potential opening. Potters Bar number 4 Thilan Walallawita quickly dashed any hopes of a resurgence as his swashbuckling 40 off 23 balls took the game beyond Hertford. He was dismissed by a deserving James Leather but Potters Bar captain Patrick Scott steered his side home for the loss of 3 wickets with 5 overs to spare.

This was a frustrating loss for Hertford who sorely regretted the missed chances when Gale was in the 30s as they had done so many things right to that point. Next week sees them take on league leaders Welwyn Garden City in another big game as they battle to elevate themselves up the table.

Scorecard - http://hertford.play-cricket.com/website/results/3081333