BUNTINGFORD firsts returned to winning ways with Dan Duff starring in a convincing home victory against Theydon Bois. The rain reduced the contest to a 40-over match, with Richard Pearce (56) opening for the hosts and establishing a good platform with th

BUNTINGFORD firsts returned to winning ways with Dan Duff starring in a convincing home victory against Theydon Bois.

The rain reduced the contest to a 40-over match, with Richard Pearce (56) opening for the hosts and establishing a good platform with the help of Steve Paola (11), Chris Ford (25) and Chris Chambers (36).

The four batsman accounted for much of the Buntingford total of 182-7.

In reply, Chris Chambers (2-21) removed Hughes, who was caught at first slip with just the second ball of the innings.

Ian Simmons was then caught at the wicket off the bowling of Chambers, to see Theydon at 16-2, with their hopes now pinned on their hard-hitting Zimbabwean skipper Rob Bullivant.

However, Bullivant fell to a great catch by Chris Ford for 20 off the bowling of Richard Pearce (2-21), and at 30-3, Theydon were in trouble.

Dan Duff then a took four wickets for three runs off five overs, with Mahe Chowdhury (1-7) finishing off the Theydon tail to see them all out for just 58 runs.

- Buntingford seconds' match with Birchanger was abandoned. Town had reached a challenging score of 208-8 before their opponents' play was cut short on 58-2.

ROYSTON'S under-12 team should have beaten a strong Cambridge Granta team at Therfield Heath, but were let down with the bat.

Granta were bowled out for 78, with Royston skipper Bonham Harper leading the way with 3-7 off four overs.

However, Royston struggled with the bat and when the top order went, the middle and tail followed in quick succession.

Despite having enough overs available, a lack of urgency from the Royston batsmen resulted in a 13-run defeat.

The under-13s also slipped up in their game with Cockenach, despite getting off to a steady start with both Bonham Harper and Paul Leary causing problems.

However, Royston found it hard to find more runs especially against useful Cokenach bowling.

Adam Wright (32 not out) and Neil Addison (9) eventually saw Royston to 76 off their 20 overs.

Cokenach started their reply with an opening stand of 15, and then slipped to 22-4, but a good partnership between Titcoombe and Roberts saw them to victory with three overs and five wickets to spare.

Elsewhere, for the second week in succession, the under-15s played two fixtures in two days, beating Weston Colville on Monday and Elmdon on Tuesday.

Despite losing early wickets against Weston, captain Martin Leary rescued the Royston innings with an unbeaten 57 and helped his side reach 121-6 off their 20 overs.

It was a total that Weston found too hard to reach and with Royston's Lee Cooper (4-0-3-18) starring with the ball could manage only 71-7.

In their game against Elmdon, Rory Harper's 55 inspired Royston to victory as they reached 138 from their 20 overs.

After making a slow start, Elmdon struggled against tight Royston fielding and reached 123-4.