Abotts Langley secured a tie from their match with Northchurch.
Abbots lost the toss and found it difficult to keep Northchurch at bay. With ten overs to go, the ball was given to 15-year-old debutant Nick Gurney. The teenager produced an encouraging performance picking up one for 33.
Northchurch scored 234 for five off their 45 overs. It was hard going in the field but the team stuck at it well. Very few runs were missed in the field and Abbots’ heads never dropped.
The chase became even tougher in the third over as Jay Parmer departed, but Craig Smith (90) and Mitch Inglis then put on 85 in the next 13 overs before Inglis was brilliantly caught for 39. Dave Carlisle also smashed a quickfire 29.
Abbots needed 45 to win with six overs to go. It came down to nine off the final over and three off the last ball. Sam Bailey and Aiden Byrne, both finishing on 21 not out, scampered a two for a tie.
Abbots Seconds lost to Northchurch Seconds by five wickets.
After a slow start and two early dismissals, Imran Khan whittled his way to 38 providing valuable support for the blazing Matthew Parkins who smashed 68 off just 74 balls. Apart from a swift 21 from Jonathan Cox no-one else hit double figures and this left them well short of a decent total at 158 all out.
Abbots made a fight of it but were ultimately let down by inconsistent bowling.
Abbots’ Sunday team eased to a six-wicket win over Northwood.
Dave Carlisle picked up one for 23 off his first eight overs but Mitch Inglis made the biggest impression taking three for 20. Nikhil Kotecha came on at the end, swung the ball beautifully and took his maiden first team wicket.
But once again it was the Abbots fielding that stole the show as Northwood finished on 159 for six off 40 overs.
Abbots lost an early wicket and Michael Rueth hit a few lusty blows before he followed his opening partner back to the pavilion. Inglis (25) and Peter Metcalfe (36) looked like they were going to win the match on their own as they put on 74 in good time.
But it was left to Matt Parkins (31 not out) and Craig Smith (32 not out) to put on 70 for the fifth wicket and take the side past the Northwood total with six overs to spare.
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