Under-Par Hertford Beaten at Home by West Herts

After rain defeated Hertford once again last weekend, there was relief as the sun shone when West Herts visited Balls Park on Saturday.

Eyeing up a challenging total despite a tricky wicket, Hertford won the toss and chose to bat in an attempt to apply scoreboard pressure on the visitors. A familiar opening pairing of Riddle and Ray were also looking to continue their form from a fortnight ago.

Having worked their way through some disciplined and patient new ball bowling, the hosts looked set to push on. With the scoreboard ticking along, the Stags’ progress was suddenly stunted after some sharp work at mid-wicket resulted in Ray being comfortably run out for 11.

The wicket did little to break Riddle’s stride however, as he continued his own positive early season form to push Hertford past 50 in the 15th over.

Despite his resistance, West Herts were soon able to collect two quick wickets with Riddle watching on from the non-striker’s end. With the hosts 58 for 3, the middle order had some work to do to rebuild the innings.

But Hertford couldn’t stem the steady flow of wickets. The visitors removed Riddle for a fine 42, before collecting the wickets of Richard Leather and captain Ben Cowell to leave the hosts 106 for 6 and staring down a weaker than expected total.

Under pressure from the buoyant visiting bowling attack, Hertford were unable to wrestle back control of the innings. Faced with some more accurate and attacking bowling, the hosts’ lower order couldn’t build any lasting partnerships.

With only minor contributions from the tail, Hertford found themselves bowled out for 149 with four of their allotted 50 overs remaining.

Facing an uphill battle in the field, Hertford’s bowlers set out to follow West Herts’ lead on the still challenging surface. Much like a fortnight earlier, Adam Carlson led from the front with a solid opening spell which included the wicket of opener Arjan Patel in the tenth over.

Despite mixing up the bowling in an attempt to unsettle the visiting batsmen, the Stags’ attack struggled to make further inroads. West Herts were able to build a patient second wicket partnership, reaching their 50 in the 24th over, and looked well set in their pursuit.

Turning to the left arm spin of Hugh Cavener, Hertford were finally able to make the breakthrough to draw themselves back into the contest. After removing opening batsman Lewis Koch for a helpful 40, Cavener was able to also collect the important wicket of Simon Walker for 18.

At 93 for 3, the game was still in the balance thanks to a pitch which remained friendly for the bowlers. Unfortunately for Hertford, however, the wicket of Koch brought Sri Lankan overseas, Priyamal Perrera, to the crease.

Knowing it was the prize wicket if they were to defend their below-par total, Hertford were heartened after Perrera offered two early chances, including one sharp chance which was dropped at short cover.

Before West Herts could fully settle again, two further wickets fell in quick succession to add to the visiting side’s nerves. After losing four wickets for 15 runs the visitors found themselves 107 for 5 with a tricky chase ahead.

Putting the early scares behind him, Perrera swiftly adapted to the conditions. He began comfortably guiding his side through the challenging middle overs by punishing any width offered by the bowlers.

The Sri Lankan was able to capitalise on an increasingly spread field and a couple of loose overs to rapidly bring the total within his side’s reach.

With nine overs to spare, Perrera and his patient partner, Gregg Sumpter, were able to pick up the final few runs without further alarm. With five wickets in hand, the visitors coasted past the finishing line to hand Hertford a frustrating defeat.

Following a mixed set of early season results, Hertford captain Ben Cowell remained upbeat following the game. “It has been a disrupted start to the season but we can take a lot of positives from the opening few weeks. We’re well placed to push on despite this result and are already focused on next week’s game to help us get back on track.”

With one more game of limited overs cricket remaining before their attention turns to the longer, red ball format, Hertford travel to North Mymms next week looking to return to winning ways.

Written by Andrew Knight