Hertford 4th XI Continue Their Unbeaten Start to Season

Boxmoor comfortably beat the 4’s last year so the team knew if they could get a game in it would be a tough match.

A tarpaulin had been laid over the pitch but upon its removal around 11.30- the pitch was wet. Very wet. In fact treading on areas of the wicket next to the artificial strip run off left water oozing up around your boots. A few buckets of sawdust as well as some general keenness and the two captains agreed upon a 12.15 start. The Boxmoor captain may have immediately regretted this when he lost the toss and was inserted on the green top.

The two George’s (Giblett and Gardner) started brightly with Giblett bowling the Boxmoor opener with one that jagged back significantly. Boxmoor steaded themselves making steady if unspectacular progress. Once again the introduction of Dave ‘The Destroyer’ Benham turned the match. Bowling a tight line and length, Dave took 4-25, although it should be pointed out these are his worst figures of the season!
Dave bowled nicely in tandem with Alex Bartlam who took 2-28. Shiva Balaram was making his debut for the 4’s and looked a little nervy as his first over delivered some wides and some ‘half trackers’ Even Richard Eaton started warming his shoulders up however sadly for Eaton, Shiva then settled into a nice line and length and cleaned up the tail finishing with 3-30. These last few quick wickets were critical as for most of the innings Boxmoor looked set for 180+ however they finished on 151 – not a huge score but the general consensus was it was around par so Hertford knew they would have to bat well.

Skipper Horton decided to open the batting with youngster Lewis Harris and returning veteran Graeme Riddle. Much to Hertford and Riddle’s delight Boxmoor started poorly, bowling a number of short wide balls which Riddle pulled away in his trademark way. Harris at the other end looked solid and started to build an innings.

The scoring rate slowed as Boxmoor tightened their bowling up however the two openers continued to make steady slow progress, blocking the good balls and putting away the odd bad one. A particular highlight was the opposition commenting to young Harris that he couldn’t get it off the square to which he responded by sending their spinner for 12 in one over – an important moment in a low scoring game. Eventually Riddle was bowled for an excellent 44, in a game changing stand of 93. This brought the other debutant, Simon Jones to the wicket. Simon looked at home despite the conditions and continued the great work of the openers. Harris passed his chanceless 50 in partnership with Jones.

There were a few nerves on the boundary as rain started inching in and Hertford slightly behind the run rate however Jones and Harris accelerated towards the end and with just 2 runs needed to win Jones was tempted into trying to hit over the top to finish it and was caught for 22. Richard Eaton managed to nearly get bowled first ball before finishing the game with his second.

An excellent win for Hertford against a strong Boxmoor side who will likely be at the upper end of the table at the end of the season. Particular mention for Lewis Harris who finished on an excellent match winning 72 not out.

Written by Richard Eaton