Defeat in the damp at Knebworth

Away at Knebworth, with its small boundaries and big hitters, always seemed likely to be our hardest Herts fixture of the season, but we put up a better fight here than we did at Hertford.

Persistent rain made conditions difficult for both fielding sides, but we batted with assurance after being put in. Adam Bassingthwaighte stroked the first ball he received through cover point for four, and went on to make a fluent, brisk 30, while skipper Alec Chappell started solidly alongside him. Unfortunately, Alec was run out for 11 in a mix up with Joe Burslem, but Joe went on to retire for 33 to redeem himself.

Ben Warman and Will Bowman both played positively and well at the end of the innings, taking us to a respectable 123-3.

We knew that we needed to take the wicket of Knebworth skipper Gus Laws-Mather quickly if we were to have a chance, but unfortunately he smashed Sam Gardner's first two deliveries for four, including a huge one-bounce lofted straight drive. Alec moved Ben back to the boundary and the next ball was lifted straight into his hands, but Ben put the difficult chance down and with it went our chances.

Gus sped to 33 in the fourth over, hitting Alec for five successive fours, and after 10 overs Knebworth had 94. Stephen Walsh removed Harry Holman for 28, and Charlie Peace bowled three good overs to snare two late wickets, but the hosts wrapped things up in the fifteenth over when Will Bowman's full toss was slogged to the boundary.

Both sides did well to complete the game in incessant drizzle, and there were plenty of positives to be taken from the performance.