Ickwell snatch defeat from a nailed on victory

For everyone who was on The Green on Sunday it was very difficult to see how Ickwell managed to lose this game when some good batting had put them in such a dominant position.

Ickwell won the toss and put the visitors into bat. With the help of a century from David Albon (106) Letchworth made 235 all out, boosted by some big hitting late on.

Daniel Denton (3-56) and Ross Fensome (3-31) were the most successful of the Ickwell bowlers.

The Ickwell innings got off to a rapid start with a swashbuckling innings by Ben Welch (100) and runs were coming at about ten an over.

It all looked so easy as the home side had complete control of the game. Ben had good support from skipper Milin Gandhi (28) and Harry Fallows (37).

Ben was bowled by David Albon almost immediately after he had reached his century but Ickwell needed just 60 odd runs with plenty of overs left.

It was a position where it just required some batsmen to bat steadily.

But then three of the middle order batsmen played some unnecessarily adventurous shots and holed out.

After this leg spinner William Aitkenhead (5-33) proved too much for the late order batsmen. Ickwell wickets fell rapidly and they were all out for 223 with 14 overs still left to lose by 13 runs.

Southill Park’s charge at the top of the Premier Division continued with a 101 run home win over Flitwick.

They chose to bat first and had Lee Hoggett’s unbeaten 66 off 53 balls to thank as they reached 204-6.

Any hopes Flitwick had of overturning that evaporated quickly as they tumbled to 10-2 and never recovered.

George Darlow took 3-21 and Dominic Chatfield and Kieran Brasier collected two wickets each as Flitwick stumbled to 103 all out.

Langford cruised to their first Premier Division win in a low scoring match at home to Waresley.

The visitors’ decision to bat didn’t pay dividents as only two players made double figures in a 65-9 total. Chris Gentle took 3-5 in eight overs.

It took Langford just 12 overs to knock off the required runs, Earl Lee unbeaten on 31.

In Division One Biggleswade stumbled to a heavy loss at Great Brickhill.

Biggleswade made a good start with the ball as Dagless removed Boad. John and Symmonds then added 60 for the second wicket.

Szwajbak’s introduction brought a flurry of wickets and Brickhill were 70-5 with Szwajbak taking four wickets for one run in three overs.

However Morris and Mahendran worked through a good spell from Szwajbak and Gauge, adding 104 as Brickhill finished on 250-9.

Biggleswade’s reply was pegged back by losing wickets. Kevin Wright was bowled by Mahendran before Smith and Randall added 22 for the second wicket. This proved to be the highest stand of the innings.

Smith was caught by Mahendran off Wagg before Dagless was well taken in the gully off Symmonds. Randall was caught and bowled by Symmonds, Lawrence fell lbw to Iqbal and Robb Wright was caught off Iqbal. Biggleswade were eventually all out for 104.

Potton Town also lost in Division One, with their match decided on formula after the rain intervened.

Ickleford chose to bat and posted 242, Ramohan Bhogal taking four wickets. Potton were at 105-3 when the rains came and Ickleford were awarded the win.

Biggleswade II looked to be heading to victory in Division Four. After scoring 112-6 (Boyd 54), three quick wickets from Smith had visitors Biddenham floundering at 24-4. However, the rain forced an abandonment.

In Division Five Ickwell II won the toss and put Luton Town & Indians IV into bat.

Tom Jackson bowled a very economical opening spell and Maulik Shah (3-31) picked up wickets later in the innings.

All the Luton middle order made runs and they finished their innings on 213-8.

Apart from Ben Fensome (51) there was not much response from the rest of the Ickwell batsmen with only two others making double figures. Top scorer for the innings was Mr Extras with 52. Ickwell 2nd lost by 54 runs.