1st XI Go Back-to-Back to Climb Off the Bottom

Chasing a second straight win, Hertford visited Totteridge Millhillians where they were put into bat on a green and uneven surface. After fruitful results last week, the opening pair of Fayaz Homyoon and Hugh Cavener set out to see off the new ball in trying conditions.

With the pair having made it through the opening exchanges by utilising a quick outfield, Homyoon was removed by a rising delivery from Sam Smith. It brought Will Ray to the crease, who was in the hunt for some runs after a tough first half of the season. After a tentative start, Ray’s prized footwork began to return, and he settled into a comfortable rhythm on a wicket that rewarded patience.

Ray remained unfazed after the loss of two further wickets which threatened to destabilise Hertford in the period before lunch. Heading into the break at 96 for 3, the visitors had a foundation to build from throughout the afternoon session.

Alongside Bailey Eustance, Ray continued to accumulate with some trademark drives and the occasional flick. Having just reached his half-century, his side lost their fourth wicket as Eustance fell for a well made 42 from 54 deliveries. It left the Stags with work to do but, with wickets in hand, Ray was supported to keep the scoreboard ticking along.

Despite two more of his partners falling, he looked to accelerate. He too, however, soon found himself well caught behind for 89 off the skilful bowling of Ravichandakumar Madushan. His well-managed innings meant Hertford could afford to attack in the late stages and the lower order dutifully wagged once more. Adam Carlson and Ben Orchard added some vital runs to carry the visiting side to 220 all out in the 60th over.

After a speedy innings changeover and with new ball in hand, Hertford got off to the perfect start in the first over. Some lightning hands down the leg side from Ben Cowell brilliantly stumped an overbalanced Ben Howgego for no score.

Howgego's wicket was the start of a dream period for the visitors, which saw Andrew Knight quickly settle in on a pitch perfectly designed for his disciplined line and length.

With barely ten overs on the board the Stags were heartily rewarded for their attacking approach. Bringing the ball down the slope, Knight trapped Jonathan Miles leg before for seven before a ball held its line to send Shaun O’Brien to the same fate.

With tea rapidly approaching, Hertford were creating chances aplenty. With the ball moving in the air and off the surface, the visiting attack managed to pick up two further wickets before the break. Jack Keeping was removed by a sharp catch from Bailey Eustance before Eustance himself claimed the wicket of Madushan thanks to an excellent take on the run by Cavener.

Heading into the interval, Totteridge were five wickets down and facing an uphill struggle in the evening session. After the restart, Knight picked up from where he left off to make the hosts' task even greater. With a cutter breaking through the stubborn defence of Jonathan Lubin, Knight claimed his fourth to reduce the hosts to 87 for 6.

The sixth wicket brought the clean striking Sam Smith out to partner Jordan Bethel, which led to a frustrating and nervy period for Hertford. Both batsmen sensed a chance to attack a tiring Knight and Hertford's spin options in the middle overs. Some flowing shotplay led to a quick fifty partnership and left the visitors anxiously looking for a breakthrough.

As the score neared 150, Adam Carlson forced a much-needed chance. Bethel risked a pull shot but caught a top edge which was safely held at backward point. Carlson’s breakthrough swiftly led to another as incoming batter Eddie Curtis was removed with the very next ball.

The hosts were now heavily reliant on Smith, who was comfortably clearing the boundary in the closing stages. Another quick fifty partnership gave Totteridge hope and needing only 23 to win with plenty of overs remaining.

Requiring little over two runs per over, Smith was in no mood to let up. But his efforts were soon undone by a tired flick that was safely snaffled by a diving Eustance at short midwicket, giving Carlson his third wicket of the game. Having seen Smith depart for a rapid 65 from 73 deliveries, the hosts soon found themselves beaten as Iresh Saxena was removed LBW by Homyoon’s left arm spin.

Hertford secured the 21-run victory and 30 crucial points to leapfrog Bishop’s Stortford into ninth place in the Hertfordshire Premier League. The back-to-back wins set them up well for a charge in the second half of the season when they’ll be hoping for a repeat of their 2021 heroics.

Written by Andrew Knight