Davis gives Flitwick the run around as Hoddesdon march fourth

A magnificent unbeaten 93 from Sam Davis enabled Hoddesdon to secure a victory which closed the gap on the top three in the Saracens Herts Cricket League Championship.

Despite a century on Saturday from Nadeera Nawela, opponents Flitwick's run chase fell short as the visitors triumphed by 42 runs, and are fourth and three points off third-placed Langleybury.

Flitwick won the toss and elected to field, but Hoddesdon made a positive start, before losing Rob Walters for 19 after seven overs.

Ross Clarke and Davis moved Hoddesdon on to 67-1, but the visitors were swiftly reduced to 84-4, after Clarke, James Achillea and Martin Brown were dismissed in quick succession.

But Rob Jones and Davis led Hoddesdon's recovery by piling on a superb partnership of 120.

Jones smashed 65 from just 56 balls, before he was bowled by Ross Bailey.

Antony Higgs joined the impressive Davis at the crease and played an important cameo, hitting 19 from 17 balls as the visitors finished on 249-5 from their 50 overs.

With ball in hand, Hoddesdon made a brilliant start, as Bill Thorne removed Flitwick skipper George Thurstance for just four.

Tom Russell and Mahmood Ali were both run out by Higgs, while Walters (2-24) took the wickets of Lewis Perrin and Isaac Malkani as the hosts' stumbled to 46-5.

Nawela and Carl Ferguson led Flitwick's recovery, before the latter was caught by Ross Clarke off the bowling of George Duke (3-33) for 33.

Duke picked up his second wicket by clean bowling Harry Thurstance for a duck, before Khizer Manzoor was stumped by Rhys Jones to hand Duke his third wicket, with the hosts stuttering on 139-8.

Bailey's stubborn resistance was ended by Martin Brown as Flitwick slipped to 174-9, but Nawela moved to a fine century to keep his side's hopes alive.

Nevertheless, Hoddesdon sealed victory in the 47th over, as Nawela was caught at deep long-on by Jones for 106, handing Higgs his maiden league wicket.

Hoddesdon host fifth-placed Luton Town & Indians next Saturday.

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