Southgate batted first after the Villagers' Colin Searle lost the toss. Shenley's new ball partnership of Steve Scott and Ed Lillywhite bowled with accuracy, and were backed up by the Villagers' best fielding display this term, however they could not capture a wicket. This pattern continued until a change in personnel saw Frank Lillywhite clean bowl Southgate opener Lawman.

Matt Woodward and Colin Searle bowled their finger-spin in tandem for eight overs, capturing a wicket apiece, and Southgate had reached 107-4.

Searle was replaced by Chris McDonald, who sliced through Southgate's middle order to claim four wickets.

Ed Lillywhite replaced Woodward at the Watford Road end, and helped McDonald restrict Southgate to an eventual total of 130-9 after 53 overs.

In reply, Shenley's openers Dave Affleck and Bubs Willingham went out to face the new ball attack, but were separated in the fourth over with the score on ten, when left-armer Willis bowled out-of-sorts Affleck.

Searle came to the wicket but he also fell victim to Willis, leaving the hosts on 32-2.

McDonald stepped up and helped Willingham add 29 for the third wicket, before he was adjudged lbw for 11.

Chris Stanley was the next man in, bringing the two senior Villagers together, until Willingham was out for a well-composed 40 in the 24th over.

This brought Scott in to bat with a further 49 required for victory. He and Stanley added the necessary runs over the next 11 overs to clinch victory.

After the game, Shenley's Colin Searle said: "I am proud of the lads' performance. We needed to win today to keep in sight of a top four finish.”

Shenley Village 134-4

Southgate Compton II 130-9

Herts Cricket League

Division Eight