Heat Gets to Hertford in Defeat to West Herts

After an exciting last over victory against local rivals, Hoddesdon, last weekend, Hertford’s 1st XI were looking for back-to-back victories against a weakened West Herts side without two of their star players.

On an absolute roaster of a day at Balls Park, West Herts put Hertford in to bat on a wicket that looked full of runs. With an in-form George Pavey called up to open for the first team after some strong performances for the 2s, Hertford got off to a solid start with some measured shotmaking against an aggressive opening bowling display.

As they began to settle into their rhythm, Hertford’s optimism was dealt a blow as a loose drive found Pavey caught at slip for 9. Their misery was swiftly compounded as Alan Jones soon followed without scoring, leaving Hertford reeling at 29-2.

The opening pair of recent weeks, Riddle and Ray, were reunited, and quickly set to work rebuilding the innings. Riddle began to show some of his characteristic aggression against the West Herts bowling attack making do without its main man, Will Jones, who moved clubs ahead of the 2020 season.

Unfortunately for Hertford, Riddle, having just found his stride was then adjudged LBW and had to return to the pavilion for a quickfire 23. Riddle’s departure led to the beginning of a challenging middle order collapse for the home team. Within the space of seven disastrous overs, Hertford lost five wickets for 25 runs and found themselves with a mountain to climb at 94-7.

Some valiant lower order efforts from Carlson and Slater were unable to propel Hertford beyond a well below par 140. Having used only 33 of their overs, Hertford knew they would need to bowl out the visiting West Herts side if they were to steal an unlikely victory.

Knight and Carlson probed away with the new ball and were able to restrict the runs but could not find the early wickets that the Stags needed. Without joy in the early overs, Cowell fired up his seasoned fast bowler, James Leather, to force the hands of the visitors. His decision was soon rewarded as Leather broke the opening partnership thanks to a sharp rising delivery that drew an edge from set opener, Arjun Patel.

Hertford continued to probe but struggled to build on the brief shift in momentum. The West Herts batters were able to chip away at the low total and found themselves halfway before the hosts sensed they had to change tactics in order to wrestle back control.

Spotting that the visitors were uncomfortable against Leather’s aggressive short pitched bowling, Hertford set a trap on the hook and soon found an opportunity to pull themselves into the game.

Leather was joined by Slater to deliver a spell of hostile bowling that would have rattled many a batting lineup. The spell brought near-immediate rewards for the home side as Slater claimed a much needed wicket by targeting the ribs of West Herts number 3, Warren, who pulled straight to Underdown at midwicket.

Whilst some runs were still flowing due to the pace of the ball on bat, Hertford stuck to their plan and continued to pressure the visitors under the short ball. Leather was then rewarded for his efforts, forcing another hook shot which was well caught at fine leg before then finding the glove of the new batsman to bring Hertford back into contention with the visitors 87-4.

The hostility continued unabated as Leather and Slater had both batsmen jumping to shield themselves from the sharp pace bowling. Then, an inspired couple of balls from Slater gave the hosts a renewed hope of victory.

With Alastair Lewis set in the 40s, Slater produced a great length delivery to find the edge to bring around yet another twist. Then, with the field set for more chin music, he immediately landed a perfect yorker to the new batsmen to claim two in two and reduce the visitors to 101-6. His hat-trick ball went through without event but Hertford knew they had a real chance with their tails up against the nervy West Herts side with 40 runs still to get.

Despite some continued aggressive bowling, the new batsmen decided to chance their arm and played some free-flowing strokes in an attempt to ease the pressure. After a few loose deliveries raced to the fence, Hertford’s chance was sliding away. Three powerful boundaries in as many balls brought the finishing line closer for the visitors and they finished it in similar fashion with a lofted drive off Lawrance to see themselves home.

After posting a low total Hertford can be pleased with their efforts with the ball, but they will be disappointed to have lost to a weakened West Herts side. With some tough games coming up against Totteridge and Radlett the Stags will be hoping to recapture the form that has led them to upset the league’s top teams in the past.

Written by Andrew Knight.