It was an incredible start to the season for Kings Langley's three Senior teams on Saturday as we claimed the hat-trick of wins and a maximum 30 league points for each team.
The match summary photos are attached. Full scorecards can be found on Play Cricket or our own website.
The 1st XI completed a 5 wicket win over Letchworth Garden City 2nd XI, having taken superb advantage of the damp conditions to dismiss the visitors for 110. Ben Joyce led the charge with fantastic figures of 6-21 from 9.5 overs. In reply, conditions were never easy but they overcame a few nervy moments to run out comfortable winners with 11.2 overs in hand, a partnership between Elliott Hutchings (34*) and Harry Sambrook (27*) ensuring the job was completed.
The 2nd XI put in an impressively gritty display to emerge as winners by 26 runs on average run rate. In contrast to the 1s, the 2nd XI had to bat first and it was hard-going following the overnight rain. However, an impressive 2nd half of the innings ensured that they reached a competitive total of 171-9 from their 40 overs. Iain Milton top scored with an unbeaten 32 on his competitive debut for KLCC. Following the medical incident, alluded to in an earlier email, the hosts were chasing a reduced target of 143 from 33 overs. However, Milton (3-12) and Tom Parry (2-25) both capped off impressive all-round performances to leave Old Albanians 3rd XI stranded on 116-7 at the end of their innings.
The 3rd XI were involved in a classic match on The Steiner, some claiming it was the most dramatic game of cricket since Ben Stokes single handedly won the Headingley Ashes Test in 2019! They had got off to a fantastic start as skipper Jamie Calvin (4-32) ripped out the middle order to leave them reeling 6 wickets down at drinks. However, Northwood 5th XI were in no mood to be rolled over and seemingly took control of the match as they managed to reach 190-7 off their 40 overs. In reply, Kings were soon in trouble and they were 8 wickets down before reaching 100. Enter Matty Owens and Hadi Rizvi! In an unbelievable performance, the pair combined to put on a 90+ stand and get them within spitting distance before Owens was run out for a career-best 64. That left Hadi to finish the job with Jack Leach Nick Lincoln and when they surpassed the target with just 1 ball and 1 wicket in hand, heroic-Hadi was unbeaten on 30 and charismatic left arm spinner Lincoln was fittingly unbeaten on, yes you guessed it, 1.
A fantastic effort by all involved - and so many promising signs that are many more memorable moments to follow this season.
Next week, we will bring back the "Top 10" Boards and Fantasy League updates to help you follow the star performances.
I will be in touch in a couple of days with details of the weekend's action.
Don't forget, you can still enter the Fantasy League using this link: KLCC Fantasy League Entry Form
The deadline is before play starts on Saturday.
We look forward to seeing you up on The Common soon.
Best wishes
Rich