1st XI secures promotion

Northchurch chose to bat first on an excellent pitch, looking to score a minimum 230 that would secure promotion.

Saf and George negotiated the first 10 overs beautifully and skipped along at five per over, though the rate slowed when the vice captain unluckily feathered through when trying to leave quickie Jack Palmer. Suckling was undone early by some swing but runs soon began to flow again with Garraway at the crease. However, his assault on the bowling did not last long, Hogg taking a fine, roly-poly catch at mid on.

With a solid platform set, Saf brought up an excellent 50 but saw support come and go at the other end. A nip-backer from scary starer Hogg saw his own innings arrested and he made his way back to the pavilion with a season's best 76 to his name. A smart piece of fielding at cover found Romit short of his ground soon after, which brought the skipper in to join Hobley and prompted Bayford and Hertford to bring back Palmer to mop up the tail.

With some bobbing and weaving, the fast bowler's remaining four overs were all but seen off when Vila was undone by a back-of-the hand leg cutter. This opened the door for DJ to whack it around a bit and comfortably get Northchurch over the hallowed 230. Promotion secured.

Bayford had not chased over 170 this season but were in for a fun afternoon. Balmforth got off to a lucky start as a relatively easy chance went to ground at point with his score still in single digits. Along with his opening partner and captain, Ricky Ketteridge, they cashed in on the fortune by playing loads of shots. Northchurch quickly went defensive but the pair were up to the task. They swept particularly well and latched onto anything short, making the pitch look very, very flat.

In spite of both men reaching fifty, Northchurch still believed that a couple of wickets would create an opportunity, however, morale was further sapped when Balmforth was put down again. Darren came back into the attack, hoping to make a breakthrough, and sort of did as Balmforth was eventually held, caught behind off Saf Khan, who was operating at the other end. The opening stand of 173 in relatively quick time offered plenty of freedom to the next man, who played very nicely to support his captain to a ton and the team to win.

The one bowling point earned in the second innings is super relevant as it is now all that separates Northchurch and second placed Hoddesdon. The equation is simple, win the final match next week at Eversholt to secure the league title.