Potton and Clifton lose Herts League openers

Town chose to bat first at The Hollow. There were steady knocks from Stephen Williams (39), Colin Stevens (30) and Dan Hall (30), but nobody could go on and make a big innings and they were all out for 168.

That didn’t prove to be enough. Welwyn opener Martin James carried his bat with 88 as the visitors passed the total in the 36th over.

Clifton have been promoted to Division 5B and suffered the same fate as Potton, an eight wicket loss. They decided to bat first at Hoddesdon II and Adam Ryan scored a quickfire 55 off 65 balls, but despite some late boundaries from Phil Jones (22) they foud runs hard to come by and were dismissed for 159.

Jack Brown took an early wicket in the home side’s reply but two decent partnerships saw Hoddesdon home.

Potton Town II’s Regional Division A East opener at Datchworth III also ended in defeat. Sam Worthing with 45, including a six, and Phil Banks (40no) top scored for Town, while Jonathan Corrigan was incisive and economical with 2-18 off eight overs in the seven wicket loss.