AN UNDER-STRENGTH Harpenden Cricket Club crashed out of the Becker Cup on Sunday to HCPL Two East side Langleybury although the team from the Herts Division Two can feel proud of their performance, although the gulf in class between the two sides eventually proved too large.

However, Harpenden got off to the perfect start when Langleybury who had opted to bat lost the big hitting Cliff Spinks for only 14 runs when Carlo Lourenco took a brilliant catch off Gerard van der Westhuyzen's delivery.

Bury soon got back on track though as Matt Fry (86) and 16-year-old Greg Cooper (81) struck up a huge partnership after opener Asad Khan (51) had been bowled by Lourenco.

Steve Ball and Lourenco, bowling in tandem, did manage to slow the rate in the middle of the innings, before Langleybury accelerated again with Fidah Shah notching a quick-fire 42 not out as Bury put on 92 from the final ten overs to close on 303-5.

In reply, Harpenden began confidently with Jon Sheard who has been in fine form recently and Chris Cade putting on 73 in 13 overs in a storming start.

Once Sheard (54), caught by James Crowther off Dave Best, and Cade (35), bowled by Sean Palmer, were dismissed though, Harp began to crumble.

With 20 overs remaining, Harp had slumped to 139-7 with the middle order decimated, but gutsy performances from van der Westhuyzen and Lourenco at least added some respectability to the score.

Van der Westhuyzen made 55 not out from 68 balls, well supported by Lourenco's 31 with their stand of 74 finally broken in the 48th over as Harp closed on 223-8, exiting the cup with their heads held high.

July 3, 2002 16:30