Hertford Crowned Play-Off Champions After Remarkable Season

Benji Cowell's side were riding high as they travelled to Welwyn Garden City to face Totteridge Millhillians in the playoff final. Off the back of five consecutive wins including the semifinal against Harpenden, they were looking to secure a first league title for well over a decade.

With their previous success coming batting first, Hertford's rhythm could easily have been disrupted when Totteridge won the toss and asked the Stags to field first.

Whilst they'd fared well when chasing earlier in the season, Totteridge’s opening pair of Ben Howgego and Jonathan Miles were a dangerous prospect with the ability to set a total beyond the young Hertford side's reach.

Early wickets were likely to be crucial if they were to restrict Totteridge, but despite some tidy new ball bowling from James Leather and Andrew Knight, the opening batters were able utilise the power play overs to get off a fast start.

The loss of Miles in the sixth over thanks to a well-placed off cutter from Knight was not enough to restrict Totteridge, as former Northants opener Howgego rapidly pushed his side past fifty in the ninth over. Racing towards the hundred mark at over a run a ball, Hertford had to turn to Jamie Regan to tackle the growing partnership between Howgego and Jack Keeping.

With his side well up against it, Regan was able to deliver the change Hertford needed - the prize wicket of Howgego came courtesy of a wide yorker that was misqueued to Richard Leather at point. His 67 runs looked likely to have set Totteridge up for a big total, but breaking the partnership was to prove game changing for Hertford.

Wickets soon began to fall at regular intervals thanks to disciplined bowling from Jonny Underdown and Adam Carlson. Totteridge could only muster small partnerships to guide themselves to 148-4 before the Stags' attack was able to take control.

Yet another remarkable spell of bowling from Underdown, capping off some incredible late season form, led to a period where four Totteridge wickets fell for only eight runs. His control of pace and turn suggested experience way beyond his years and left his opponents floundering at 156-8.

With very little left to offer, the Totteridge lower order was then expertly cleaned up by James Leather on his emotional last outing for Hertford before his departure to Australia in October.

With only 167 to chase, the young Hertford side sensed a great opportunity to deliver their club a league title that few would have expected two months earlier.

Alan Jones and Will Ray strode the crease knowing that patience was to be key in the hunt for the title. The pair soon were able to dictate the pace of the game with a calm approach that belied the nerves felt by their side.

They soon saw off the threat of Joe Wray and Sam Smith, chancelessly passing fifty to take control of the run chase and set up Hertford perfectly.

Jones led from the front with some superb shotplay capitalising on a fast outfield that had benefited from the heat of the autumn sun. The partnership soon reached the hundred mark and looked set to take the game away from an increasingly frustrated Totteridge attack.

As soon as the hundred partnership had arrived a remarkable moment of misfortune struck to disrupt the chase. Ray timed a drive back towards the bowler, but as he set off for a quick single his shot struck the foot of Jones at the non-striker's end. A quick piece of work from the bowler to throw to the wicket keeper left Ray stranded and run out for 28.

After Ray's dismissal, Hertford's nerves began to show as top order wickets fell at regular intervals. However, despite not lasting long they were able to support Jones as he continued to be a determined innings.

The young opener continued his resolute display, seeing off the dangerous spinner Iresh Saxena and placing his side within touching distance of the trophy they craved.

With the title in sight at 154-4, Jones was joined by fellow Hertfordshire county youngster, Regan. Some classy late striking from the pair meant that Hertford coasted home and Jones capped off his man of the match display by finishing unbeaten on a superb 85.

With the winning runs struck, all that was left was for Hertford to celebrate. As they have all season, the group came together to savour the moment before lifting the trophy in front of the large group of spectators. Their win secured an unlikely league and T20 double for a side that many had doubted throughout the season.

An emotional Cowell stood with the League and T20 trophies after the game and was quick to acknowledge the efforts of his side. "I couldn't be more proud of the boys for what we have achieved this season. We knew we had the potential as a team to do something incredible, and winning the double is down to the sheer commitment the entire club has shown throughout the whole season."

"We've a great group of players throughout the club that play for each other and will always fight until the last ball. I think this result helps prove how important it is to build that culture and I'm incredibly excited to see how far we can go."

The Stags' playoff victory defied all expectations, achieved thanks to a truly remarkable run of six consecutive wins, rewarding months of dedication and hard work. Cowell's young side's determination and commitment showed at the perfect time to guide them to the title in a quite remarkable season.

Author: Andrew Knight