Northchurch were put in by Bishop’s Stortford after rain delayed the start and shortened the game to 35 overs per side. Rob Channon anchored the innings, while Gaz and Hobes provided some fireworks at the end to post 181.
Tight Northchurch bowling kept scoreboard pressure on the home team, which led to four run outs as the Essex men fell 30 short. Stortford's captain's 58, supported by some sensible batting from the middle order, kept them in the hunt and one or two overs that went for ten or more gave Northchurch something to think about. However, with the required rate creeping over 8 at times, they had to keep going, and Northchurch hung onto the catches in the deep when they came.
The win extended Northchurch’s lead at the top of the table as second places Hoddesdon fell short against Dunstable. However, the gap remains slender and the sides could switch places next week, when they meet each other at the Meadow.