RECORD PARTNERSHIP CONFIRMS PREMIER LEAGUE STATUS

A record 5th wicket partnership in all Potters Bar ECB League cricket of 190 in 135 balls between Steve Gale and Pat Scott ensured Potters Bar remain in the Premier League for next season with a convincing win over Hertford.

After last weeks defeat against relegation favourites Luton Town & Indians, Bar were determined to put their status to bed and after winning the toss, it was Bar who opted to bat on a good looking surface, albeit a gloomy morning.

Bar lost a wicket in the 4th over of the day as Charlie Scott nicked behind for just 1. Harrison Palmer and joined Steve Gale at the wicket and they ran positively and were shaking hands on a 50 partnership in 61 balls as Bar started to look a little more comfortable.

However the change of pace off the ball saw Scott Ruskin bowl nicely and a bit of bumper cars saw Gale and Palmer crash into each other mid-pitch and this saw Harrison Palmer run out for 15. Two overs later, skipper James Scott tried to pull a ball, which he missed and was bowled for 6 and Bar were 69 for 3 and looking a long way away from a challenging total.

Steve Gale however was playing nicely and he went to a 6th 50 of the season in 66 balls and he and Drew Hawley slowly started to accumulate as the rain clouds gathered.

However a suicidal peice of cricket saw Steve Gale call for a quick run and Drew Hawley was run out by a direct hit by Will Ray and Bar were 98 for 4. This was to bring Patrick Scott and Bar's two leading run scorers together and they powered Bar to a match winning position.

The pair batted beautifully, hitting boundary after boundary, ran well as the hosts kind of petered away in both belief and ability as some poor cricket was on show for large parts. Steve Gale motored to his 2nd 100 of the season in 122 balls and the 200 came up in the 43rd over as Pat Scott completed his 50 in just 45 balls as a large total was very much on the cards.

That large total was confirmed as Bar clubbed 104 in the last 60 balls as the hosts were mentally out on their feet.

Bar ended on 288 for 4 from their 50 overs. Steve Gale ended 149* off 154 balls, hitting 17 boundaries, passing 2000 ECB runs for Potters Bar in the process. As for Pat Scott he ended 92* from just 67 balls, striking 9 fours and a six.

For Hertford, it really as go for broke and they promoted Adam Carlson up to open but they never really got going. A tight opening spell from James Scott saw him sneak 2 leg before decisions, trapping Ray 22 and Carlson for 13 and Pat Scott had Steve Cordingley stumped by Callum Baylis for just 3 which had the hosts down and out in effect at 55 for 3 after 18 overs.

The game in truth meandered to its conclusion as Bar did more than enough to restrict the relegation playoff side and wickets tumbled at a regular basis. Thilan Walallawita took 3 for 50, Pat Scott 3 for 29, James Scott 2 for 21 and there as a wicket a piece for Luke Chapman and Drew Hawley.

Bar had secured their place at Hertfordshire's top table of cricket with two games to spare and considering the hardships the side had to face up to, losing George Scott to Finchley, Nigel Jacob to illness and then skipper James Scott to a 9 game season as well as losing their first 5 games is testament to their talent and belief.

Next week sees top four chasing Harpenden come to The Walk for the final home game of the season, where they need to win. As for Bar its a case of trying to finish top six and again another season of improvement,