Langleybury Thirds eased to a seven-wicket win over Botany Bay Seconds in Herts Division Eight.

Botany Bay reached 53 for one in the 13th over before spinner Andy Stone came in and ripped through the middle order to bowl them out for just 113. He finished with magnificent figures of six for 13 and Kevin Kelly chipped in with three for 24.

Roger Ball opened with 23 and an unbeaten 45 from Matt Stone was instrumental in guiding them to a comfortable first win of the campaign.

Met Police Bushey Seconds made the best possible start after promotion with an emphatic 111-run win over Hatfield Seconds.

After the loss of an early wicket, Andy Fish and Stuart Bulger came together and put on 98 runs for the next wicket when Bulger was dismissed for 52. He was soon followed by Fish for an identical score of 52. Simon Hamilton scored a quickfire 55 and Laurence Holmes was unbeaten on 41 as the home side declared on 231 for six.

In reply, the Hatfield batsmen never managed to get into the runs due to a magnificent spell of seam bowling from Mark Faulkner who destroyed their top order ending with figures of five for 20 in 13 overs.

The lower order batsmen showed some resolve but Mark Terry, last season’s top bowler, finished their innings off taking four for 31 as Hatfield were dismissed for 119.