Rickmansworth continued their unbeaten start to the season with a professional seven-wicket victory over St Albans 2nd XI at Park Road Oval on Saturday.

After winning the toss, skipper Harvey Blackwell elected to field, a decision that was quickly vindicated by a disciplined bowling performance that restricted the visitors to 172 all out in 45.5 overs.

Although St Albans made a steady start, Rickmansworth's attack maintained pressure throughout. Rameez Dar with an economical spell of 8 overs for just 12 runs, and Harvey bowling 7 for 11 kept the brakes on at important times allowing the more flamboyant spinners Keshav (2-34) and Aman (3-19) to weave their magic alongside the raw pace of Yash (2-22).

The visitors' resistance came primarily through keeper Balan, who made the most of a lifeline to compile 52, however, with wickets falling regularly around him, Rickmansworth remained firmly in control.

The game was effectively beyond reach from the first 3 overs as Har Singh and Yash took the attack to the bowlers. Singh's brisk 24 from 21 balls, including three boundaries and a six, helped Rickmansworth race to 39 before the first wicket fell.

Yash Ruparelia and Billy May then added valuable runs to settle the innings, before May and Aussie Matthew Allsop effectively took the game away from the visitors. Rickmansworth were well beyond 100 when Allsop got a snorter that he gloved behind falling with victory firmly in sight just as he and May were accelerating.

May finished unbeaten on 59, his innings combined patience with authority and provided the backbone of the chase. Supported by an unbeaten 17 from Vivek Singh, Rickmansworth reached 173-3 in the 39th over to complete a comfortable victory.

The win was built on disciplined bowling, excellent control in the field and a mature batting display led by May's match-winning half-century.

Azeem' wonderful 95 in Vain as 2nd XI Fall Just Short

Sawbridgeworth CC 2nd XI 233 all out beat Rickmansworth CC 2nd XI 216 all out by 17 runs

Rickmansworth 2nd XI suffered a narrow defeat at Sawbridgeworth despite a superb innings of 95 from Azeem Hussain.

After winning the toss and electing to field, Rickmansworth produced a disciplined bowling display to dismiss the hosts for 233 on a good deck. Tom Bev and Charlie Adamson were the pick of the bowlers with three wickets apiece, while Azeem Hussain and James Haines chipped in with important breakthroughs.

Sawbridgeworth's total was built around Shemwell (51) and Gale (48), with Rickmansworth keeping the scoring in check for much of the innings.

In reply, Hussain anchored the chase magnificently, striking 95 from 130 balls and carrying Rickmansworth into a strong position. However, despite useful contributions from Tom McWilliam (19), Fizzy (18) and Bobby Choudhry (16), regular wickets prevented the visitors from building the partnerships needed to overhaul the target.

When Hussain fell with 51 runs still required, the momentum swung back towards the hosts. Rickmansworth battled to the end but were eventually dismissed for 216, falling just 17 runs short.

Despite the defeat, Hussain's outstanding innings and the efforts of the bowling unit earned Rickmansworth valuable bonus points from a closely contested encounter.

3rd XI also unbeaten in great start to the season

The Be More Doug campaign continues to inspire G's team as they powered to another victory as stay joint-top of the league. Runs were a big supply as Snehal anchored with 68 and then the tail in Vishal (48) and Ethan (37) with 29 boundaries struck out of 216/7.

Boxmoor seemed more interested in the Arsenal than in batting the overs and at 40/7 (with all 7 falling to Nayan and Nikhil) it looked like everyone would watch the Gunners fail to win another trophy. However the last 3 batters put on 128 and it was left to Hassan to castle Birdseye for the win.

The 4th team did well to reach 145 on another tough day on the top pitch. Sunny scored 40 whilst an exhausted Neil and Anuj both set off their watches emergency heart alarms with some crazy but succesful running at the end.

OECC batted well and were always in charge, however at 139/8 it seemed like maybe Ricky could produce a miracle. However their captain was clearly giving others a turn as he smashed 2 balls over cover to finish the match.

The 5th XI had a day to forget as they chased leather for 40 overs whilst Watford racked up 280+ and were then bowled out for 146 with only Bobby Shome's 38 the highlight. However with his eldest son getting wickets on 1st team debut, and youngest son a triple of wickets in the 3rds, maybe it was a good say all-round for the Shome family after all.