Hertford 1s Stung by Welwyn in Delayed Season Opener

A devastating 53-ball 84 from Welwyn Garden City’s Alex Chalker put the curtain raiser beyond the Stags’ reach in a game most memorable for the debut of new COVID-19 playing conditions.

New Hertford captain, Ben Cowell, lost the toss and was unsurprisingly asked to field by the hosts on what looked like a good cricket wicket at Digswell Park. In the reduced format of 45-overs per side, Hertford’s opening bowlers faced the familiar sight of ex-England international, Owais Shah, knowing that early discipline was vital in restricting the free-scoring hosts.

After a tentative start, the hosts gradually accumulated runs against some unusually loose opening overs from the visiting Hertford side. Despite the loss of some early wickets, including one for new boy Sam Davis, Shah quickly found his form. He seemed unfazed even by the regular ‘hygiene breaks’ that required the players to sanitise their hands and the ball every six overs.

Having restricted the hosts to 70-2 from the opening 20 overs, Hertford faced the daunting prospect of Shah looking to up the scoring rate. With a casual flick off his legs for six, he signalled his intent, making his way to his half century with relative ease.

Fortunately for the visitors, Adam Carlson removed Shah shortly after with a rising delivery that was mistimed skywards and easily caught by Cowell. He quickly followed up with a second in the over to reduce Welwyn to 127-4 and give Hertford a chance to regain the momentum with two new batters at the crease.

Unfortunately, the wickets brought the arrival of Alex Chalker who immediately looked in the mood to take the attack to Hertford in the middle overs. Chalker was able to use power to his advantage to push the score along before shifting up a gear with 10 overs remaining.

Propelling himself past 50, and his side past 200, Chalker punished a tiring bowling attack. He struck 14 boundaries, including 3 maximums, in a 123-run stand with Bees captain, Dan Blacktopp.

Chalker’s aggressive innings was ended on 84 thanks to a James Leather yorker, but not before he could guide his side to 266-6 from their 45 overs.

Tucking into their packed lunches – with tea another casualty of the new playing conditions - Hertford knew they faced a tough chase. Confidence was high, however, thanks to a bolstered 2020 batting line-up including exciting new recruit, Alan Jones.

Jones’s input was required early after Jamie Riddle fell to a mistimed pull in the third over, and he worked quickly to establish himself in his new league. Two early sixes got his season underway in some style and made the hosts sit up and take note.

A confident second-wicket stand between Jones and Will Ray quickly reached 50 in 56 balls before an abrupt LBW decision removed an aggrieved Ray.

The Hertford innings struggled to recover from the decision with wickets falling at regular intervals despite a 48-run partnership between Jones and new captain, Cowell. Jones passed fifty with confidence before some controlled spin in the middle overs slowed the rate and applied pressure to the middle order.

Two further quick wickets, though, left the visitors needing some magic to claw their way back into contention.

With 15 overs remaining, the magic looked like it may come thanks to some powerful hitting, including four giant sixes, from James Leather. Bringing up his half-century in 27 balls, he had given his side a glimmer of hope as they approached the closing overs.

Unfortunately for the visitors, those hopes were dashed after an Emerton yorker removed Leather for 51, leaving the Stags needing a further 44 runs with only one wicket and 16 balls remaining.

Hertford’s innings came to an end four balls later but they left Welwyn Garden City knowing that there were some solid foundations in place.

Having seen little action so far this season, new captain Ben Cowell was pleased to have led his side out for the first time despite the result. “We can take plenty of positives from our performance” he remarked. “We have an exciting young side with great energy in the field and know we have one of the stronger bowling attacks in the league, too. Bringing in Sam and Alan has added real depth to our top order and gives us a great chance to put together a real challenge this season.”

Even with the unique conditions, both sides were clearly pleased to be back playing after a frustrating first half of the season. In a reduced season every win carries even more weight that normal, and Hertford will be looking to secure their first next weekend as they host league newcomers, Reed.

Written by Andrew Knight.