BUNTINGFORD faced Little Hadham on Saturday in a highly entertaining friendly match. Batting first Buntingford lost openers Neale Dookheran and Sean McGrath. However, Kev Poulton (31) and Chris Ford (12) repaired the damage until a batting collapse saw

BUNTINGFORD faced Little Hadham on Saturday in a highly entertaining friendly match.

Batting first Buntingford lost openers Neale Dookheran and Sean McGrath.

However, Kev Poulton (31) and Chris Ford (12) repaired the damage until a batting collapse saw Buntingford reeling at 81-8 from 25 overs.

Barry Walker (88 not out) and 12-year-old Colt, Josh Poulton (12) staged a recovery and took the score to 169. Buntingford eventually finished on 177-9 from their allotted 40 overs.

In reply, Little Hadham reached 72 before losing opener Mason Smith for 41. Mike Townsend also impressed for Little Hadham and was instrumental in his side cruising to 178-4 with six overs remaining.

On Sunday Buntingford entertained Grange CC and Dennis Hampton (21) and John Clements (42) opened the innings in style.

Martin Coote (31) and Scott Nash (61), shared 78 and took the score to 134, before Buntingford reached 165-9.

In reply Grange, needing only four runs per over, were cruising thanks to Bob Weatherly (68) and Graham Cowley (28).

Buntingford skipper Nash and John Clements (4-0-14-2) restored some pride. And Grange were eventually undone thanks to Martin Coote (4-1-7-4), who took four wickets in the last over sealed a last-ball win.

- BALDOCK firsts travelled to Harpenden thirds on Saturday and lost by eight wickets.

They scored 155-9 off 53 overs with James Peacock hitting 72.

Harpenden reached 157-2 with ease in just 32.2 overs despite some intelligent bowling from Peacock and Tim Dean.

It was a mixed season for Baldock who had to settle for 11th place in Division 5.

The second team's chances of promotion were ended with a defeat at the hands of Sawbridgeworth thirds.

Sawbridgeworth totalled 177-6 off 53 overs with Phil Lucy bowling well.

However, Baldock slumped to 40-6 before Ben Diplock hit his maiden club 50, including two sixes.

But Baldock were bowled out for 117.

The seconds can take heart, however, as their first season in Division 9 ended with a very respectable seventh place finish.

- GREAT Chishill missed out on promotion to the CCA Junior League with a 26 run play-off defeat to Milton firsts.

Milton's Scotter did the damage with 73 of his side's 187 runs.

Chishill's reply was built around a half-century from Kirk Chilton, but once he lost partner Oliver Stoop for 30 the innings quickly fell apart.

Elsewhere, Great Chishill seconds made a valiant attempt to chase a mammoth Royston seconds total of 222, but fell just under 50 runs short.

Mick Miller led the way for Royston with 91, while his son Paul raced to 75 not out.