BUNTINGFORD kick-started their season with a fine win at former champions Farnham, on Saturday. Having won the toss, Buntingford won the toss and chose to bat on a slow wicket, and they made a quiet start during which time they lost two wickets. However

BUNTINGFORD kick-started their season with a fine win at former champions Farnham, on Saturday.

Having won the toss, Buntingford won the toss and chose to bat on a slow wicket, and they made a quiet start during which time they lost two wickets.

However Richard Pearce (70 not out) and Barry Walker (112) put together a stand of 191, with 142 of the runs coming from the final 18 overs as Buntingford finished on 206-3 from their 45 overs.

Farnham had an early let-off early in the innings when opener Oxenham was dropped by wicket keeper Martin Coote in the first over.

Although keeping up with the required run-rate, the home side lost wickets at regular intervals.

Good tight bowling at the finish by Steve Baker (1-39) from 10 overs and Walker (2-29) left Farnham needing 15 runs from the last over.

They managed only nine to give Buntingford a six run victory and the 26 Herts & Essex League points.

Buntingford II continued their good run by moving up to third spot in Division Six with a three wicket win against Birchanger II.

The visitors were in trouble from the start, thanks to some fine bowling from Karl White who finished with 2-8 in an eight over spell which saw five maidens.

However a fine innings from J Reed (54) helped Birchanger recover before 5-27 from Clive Glasscock swung the game in Buntingford's way, with the visitors dismissed for 129.

In reply, Buntingford also struggled as Rice departed on five and Dookheran was bowled for a duck.

After eight overs Buntingford were 9-2, but knocks from Poulton (18), McNamara (25) and Wurr (33) put the home side back on track, and an unbeaten 18 from colts' player Mike Townsend saw Buntingford home with three wickets and seven overs in hand.

On Sunday, Buntingford edged a low scoring game against Albury, winning by 15 runs.

Batting first, Buntingford were dismissed for just 90 runs, with 12 apiece from Steve Baker and Karl White leading their scoring.

In reply, fine bowling from Dixon (9-2-13-3), White (6-1-9-3) and Baker (5.2-0-16-4) saw Albury skittled out for just 75, with Wheatley top scoring with a measly eight runs.