Kings Langley got off to a flying start to the new season beating Rickmansworth by 70 runs in Herts Division Three.

Batting first, Kings had 59 on the board before Greg Pinchin was out for 30. Teenager Joe Cooke, 13, making his first-team debut batted very well for his 66. Useful runs were added by Paul Ashford (42), Kevin Rolfe (32), new skipper Christian James (31) and Andrew Burnell (14 not out) helped Kings declare on 251 for six.

In reply, Ricky were left reeling as opening bowler Richard Whitlock took their first three wickets and he finished with three for 24 off seven overs. Only Plummer (66), Firth (24), and Almond (16) gave any resistance as they were dismissed for 181 off 39.2 overs.

Christian James (two for 52), Rob Clark (two for 47), Mitch Roberts (two for 10) and Andrew Burnell (one for 17) were the other wicket takers.

Met Police Bushey strolled to a seven-wicket win over Hatfield in their opener.

Sam Mazurek’s team lost the toss but made a great start with some early wickets from Daniel Nightingale (two for 26). Hatfield managed to battle back and reach 148 for two before new signing Luke Marshall (four for 33) and Lewis Koch (four for 35) ran through the home side as they ended up on 164 all out.

Met Police got of to a poor start losing a wicket in the first over before a composed innings by another new signing Kyle Claxton (66 not out) and a fluent unbeaten 36 by Stephen Long helped them to a decent start on Mazurek’s return to the club as skipper.