Winning the toss Tommy Burslem put Hemel into bat and opening bowler Jack Williams produced an excellent spell of bowling returning figures of 3-21 from his 15 overs. On a turning wicket Ben Twohig was virtually unplayable with figures of 3-21 with Simon Lindop (4-17) taking the remaining wickets. Joe Hawkins kept wicket exceptionally well in difficult circumstances.

The only two Hemel batsmen to make double figures were opener Brett Penny (23) and Neil Morgan (11) as Hemel were all out with 79 runs on the board in the 41st over.

When Ryan Wells was dismissed in the 3rd over with only 15 on the board the writing was on the wall but Adam Bassingthwaighte (44*) and Joe Burslem (27*) saw Stortford home in the 23rd over with some excellent, controlled batting. This result sees Stortford 38 points clear at the top of the Championship and host Langleybury next Saturday.

Stortford’s 2nd XI produced a successive win by beating top of the table Old Finchlieans by bowling out their opposition in 43 overs. Having lost the toss and being asked to bat on a low, slow wicket Haitel Patel (21) and Andrew Lewin (44) progressed steadily to give the side a solid start. Hugh Williams played well before being run out for 49 and he was supported by Murray Davidson (19) and keeper Benji Furrer (13). The side finished their overs on what looked a par score of 180-6.

Up front, Zac Wilson bowled with excellent pace and control and was rewarded with 4-24 off his 10 overs, with support and wickets shared by the other bowlers. Raj Thakkar scored a half century for Old Finchlieans but thanks to some excellent catching, including a spectacular one handed diving catch from Murray Davidson to take the final wicket, Stortford were the victors by 38 runs. The team travels to Langleybury on Saturday looking to continue their winning run.

Stortford's Nomads also produced an excellent win defeating top of the table Botany Bay by 34 runs. Botany Bay won the toss and elected to field. The Nomads reached 174-9 off their 45 overs thanks in the main to a 6th wicket partnership of 66 between Harry Barrett (53) and Scott Hunt (40). All five bowlers took wickets, Woolerson (1-15), Wacey (3-33), Swift (2-48), Hunt (1-22) and Bunyan (2-21) to help Nomads to their victory. The Nomads play at Old Owens on Saturday.