Abbots Langley marked their return to Hertfordshire Division Two with a five-wicket defeat to Cockfosters.

After losing the toss, Abbots were put into bat but a lack of application and poor running cost them dearly as they were bowled out for 105 in 36 overs. Dave Carlisle top scored with 29 and Jay Parmar made 25 but their total was well short of a decent target.

Laurence Watson bowled their prolific opening bat with the first ball of the innings and there was brief optimism. But Cockfosters batted with some resolve and the next wicket didn't fall until the score was 57.

Spinners Parth Mehta (one for 36) and Matt Dunstone (three for 21) both bowled fine spells and Abbots nipped away at the batting order but Cockfoster reached the total for the loss of five wickets.

Northwood fell to an opening defeat after losing to St Margaretsbury by four wickets.

The Northwood opening partnership found things tough going from some accurate St Margaretsbury bowling until Stuart Reeve joined Daniel Rodgers at the crease to get the score to 71 before Rodgers fell on 48.

Reeve scored 51 and should have pushed on to higher things taking the score up to 131. The lower order dug in with Wise Hussey and Tom Brockton helping Northwood to 189 in 52.3 overs.

Northwood soon had St Margaretsbury on the back foot and at 45 for four looked on top of things. James Lewis bowled excellently including one very low caught and bowled with Paul Richardson, Brockton and Ali Khan keeping up the pressure. However, one missed catch of the stubborn opener and some mature batting by St Margaretsbury’s youngsters saw them home with just two overs to spare.

Hemel Hempstead edged to a gripping 16-run win over Watford Town at Heath Park.

Batting first, Hemel declared on 220 for eight with two overs to spare. Joe Carter arrived from New Zealand and made a big impression scoring 83 not out. Graham Clark contributed 31 and Tom Cullen struck 28. Khalid Manzoor chipped in with four for 79 for Watford.

Watford Town were always well in the contest with Manzoor hitting a signficant knock of 73. But four wickets from Mark Brazier saw Hemel home to a win over their rivals.

Chipperfield Clarendon began their campaign with an encouraging draw against Broxbourne.

The side made a solid start with Ian Grout and Alex Moore putting on 62 for the first wicket before Grout was out for 31. Gary Wise moved the score on to 100 before he departed. Moore continued to score a fine 87 but from a good platform the innings subsided with Moore the stand out contribution in their total of 177 for nine.

A good all-round bowling and fielding performance restricted Broxbourne who never looked likely to get close. Mike Brammer marked his debut with three for 40 including a stunning caught and bowled and Gary Wise took five for 34 but Broxbourne survived on 138 for eight.