Hosts Welwyn won the toss on Saturday and had no hesitation about putting Shenley in to bat on a damp track.

However, they did not bargain for the Villagers' determined opening partnership of Andy Lewis and Chris Stanley, who shrugged off some good bowling to steadily rack up runs.

Stanley tore into the weaker of the two Welwyn bowlers, hitting four fours and a straight six in an eventful 33, before he was caught behind off his glove when the score was on 56. At the other end, sturdy Lewis accumulated ones and twos.

Shenley's Bubs Willingham, so impressive against St Albans, entered the fray, but he was dispatched after just six runs.

Chris McDonald chipped in with 15, but was caught behind when the Villagers' score was on 95.

Shenley came close to disaster when Steve Scott was dropped first ball, but he redeemed himself to notch 35 during a solid 55-run partnership with Lewis.

This enabled the middle order to attack Welwyn in the remaining dozen overs. That was when stalwart Lewis, having reached his 50, was caught behind.

Dave Stubbs and Ed Lillywhite were called into action and built the total with a 30-run collaboration over four overs. They were stumped on 198 and 199 respectively.

The last two overs saw acting skipper Mark Perkins and Arthur Jenkins drive the Villagers' tally to an impressive 208-8.

As tea was not yet ready, it was decided to take 11 overs and then break. This allowed Shenley to harass Welwyn's batsmen.

Perkins pitched in with a catch behind off Scott when the score was on 11, followed soon after by a memorable catch from Haley off the bowling of Lillywhite when the score was on 15.

Lillywhite went on the attack again a short time later, bowling two mesmerised batsmen in the process.

After the break, Welwyn's skipper, having smacked a four in the 15th over, was sent back to the pavilion to join his fallen comrades.

Welwyn, with just 29 on the board, were blasted apart by Scott and Lillywhite, the latter bowling another batsman out for nought.

When Scott had the ninth wicket caught by McDonald for 29, the game was coming to its conclusion.

Welwyn attempted a late fightback through their gung-ho last pair. But they were dealt with by McDonald, who had the last batsman caught by man-of-the-match Steve Scott for six, with the total on 60 in the 32nd over.

Victory over Welwyn lifts the Villagers into fourth place in the division and a Shenley spokesman said: "The season remains interesting with promotion a real factor."

This Saturday, Shenley are at home to North Enfield II's. The match starts at 1.30pm.

Welwyn Garden City III 60

Shenley Village 208-8

Herts Cricket League

Division Eight