BALDOCK Town ended their win drought on Saturday by securing a much-needed victory against highly placed Old Owens. On winning the toss Baldock bowled first on what was a decent pitch despite its bouncy nature. The opening attack of Alistair Jones and Jam

BALDOCK Town ended their win drought on Saturday by securing a much-needed victory against highly placed Old Owens.

On winning the toss Baldock bowled first on what was a decent pitch despite its bouncy nature.

The opening attack of Alistair Jones and James Peacock both bowled reasonably well, and each was rewarded with a wicket to leave the hosts 40-2.

Owens rebuilt with Tanner, who despatched anything loose to the boundary, and overseas player Kumar dug himself in before he started to open up.

The pair batted fluently against a wilting seam attack and seemed to be laying a platform for a big total.

The introduction of Tim Dean, however, stemmed the flow, and after Giles Naylor had removed Tanner for 58 with a perfect slower ball, Dean got to work.

He bowled beautifully for 16 overs, troubling all the batsmen and taking wickets regularly.

It was only the dashing Kumar with a fluid 83 who was able to score freely, until Dean had him caught on the boundary.

Owens were finally bowled out for 187 off 50 overs, with Dean taking 5-40.

The Baldock reply was a good one as James Peacock took control against a lively opening attack.

The score was 64 when Peacock was caught on the boundary for 47, and then the usual wobble occurred as two more wickets fell cheaply to leave Baldock 72-3.

It took an excellent fourth wicket partnership between skipper Rob Cant (27) and Graham Letford (35) against some testing spin bowling to keep Baldock going.

When they were both dismissed, some fine aggressive batting from Giles Nalyor (31 not out) and a measured 19 not out from Andrew Taylor saw Baldock home to a hard-earned but deserved five- wicket victory with two overs to spare.

The win certainly restored some confidence, and Baldock will have to repeat the dose next week at home to St Albans West Indians in the bid to stay in Herts League Division Five.

Baldock Town II completed a good day for the club with an eight-wicket win against Ickfield II.

Having won the toss, Ickleford were asked to bat and got off to a slow start with some very tight bowling, Haddy taking 3-43 and Lucy 1-27.

In an opening spell of 26 overs Ickleford were reduced to 45-4, but some good batting by Davies 25, and Covington 24, rallied Ickleford.

Izzard came in and top-scored with a fine 33, and Welstead added 26 not out to help them post a very respectable 200 in 53 overs.

Neil Blenkin took four excellent catches.

Baldock's reply got off a great start, with Blenkin (28) and Gentle (67) taking the score to 71 before they lost their first wicket in the 13th over.

Skipper Lucy (40 not out) and Gentle took the score to 153, before Gentle got a good ball to dismiss him.

Orsman (28 not out) then joined Lucy, and hit some lusty blows to see Baldock home with five overs to spare.

This victory takes Baldock back up to fourth in division 10.

In contrast, Baldock sufferd a six wicket beatiing by Houghton Town on Sunday.

Fielding a severly depleted team Baldock were skittled out for 88, with only Adrian Jones (17) and Bhavesh Paun (14) reaching double figures.

In reply Houghton went for broke and lost four wickets in reaching 90-4 off 15.1 overs with Bhavesh taking 3-41 in a good spell.

Baldock play host to Offley and Stopsley on Sunday