Sawbridgeworth defeat to Lutonian all but ends Saracens Hertfordshire Cricket League promotion chances

Sawbridgeworth’s promotion hopes are all but over after a 45-run defeat at Lutonian in Saracens Hertfordshire League, Division One on Saturday (August 31), writes Richard White.

The hosts piled up 247-8 off their 50 overs after being put in to bat as Muhammad Hamza Shabir hit an unbeaten 102.

Charlie Rudkin (1-19), George Kenny (3-39), Sayed Aziz (1-41) and Matt Billings (3-35) were all among the wickets.

The visitors lost wickets regularly in the chase as they were all out for 202 in 46 overs, dropping to fifth in the table in the process.

Max Osborne top-scored with 41 off 36 balls while Joe Joyce (28), Rob Sanders (27) and Rudkin (21) were the only other players to pass 20.

The second team’s batting woes continued in Division 5B as they suffered a 10th defeat in a row with a 23-run defeat to Old Finchleians II at Town Fields.

Alfie Burrell (5-28), Nick Dale (1-43) and Kieran Morgan (2-28) reduced the visitors to 76-8, but they recovered to 158 all out with Sam Shemwell (2-28) taking the last two wickets.

Sawbo were then dismissed for 135 in 43.5 overs.

Despite not winning since June 8, they will survive relegation if they defeat Langleybury II in their final game this weekend or pick up 14 bonus points in the event Cheshunt Rosedale II defeat Old Albanian, who need a win themselves to secure promotion.

The third team’s two-year stay in Tees Herts & Essex Border League, Division One came to an end as they suffered defeat at Stansted on what proved to be a dramatic final day.

After being put in to bat, Sawbo, who began the day second from bottom inside the drop zone, were given the best possible start by stand-in captain Charles Robinson (83) and James Bovaird (88) as they put on 169 for the first wicket. However, Andrew Foster (10) and Phil Hyam (11) were the only other players to reach double figures as they stumbled to 230-9 from their 40 overs.

Matthew Cope (3-21), Freddie Challis (3-28) and Prasad Lankathilaka (3-31) took three wickets each for the home side, who went on to comfortably reach 231-5 with 19 balls to spare as Danny Elliott made a run-a-ball 56.

Sawbo took seven bonus points from the match and ended up level with North Weald, who took just five from their seven-wicket defeat to Braughing.

But both sides ended up going down as Bishop’s Stortford IV pulled off a stunning win over Takeley to escape the relegation places.