Shenley Village 240-8

St Albans 241-7

Hertfordshire Division Four

Shenley were denied victory over St Albans on the final day of their league campaign with the very last ball of the match.

With just two overs left, St Albans needed 25 runs. That total was reduced to nine from the final six deliveries. That left St Albans on 240, the same score as Shenley.

Unfortunately for Shenley, a single was scrambled and a morale-boosting win eluded them. That result leaves them firmly at the foot of the table.

Shenley lost the toss and were asked to bat. After losing Chris Stanley with the score on 20, the innings progressed steadily with everybody contributing.

Pick of the batsmen was St John Fuller, who blasted 56. Other scores came from Steve Scott (32), Adrian Lewis (26), Ed Lilywhite 12) and Chris McDonald (32). Jon Haley hit a last-gasp 16 from seven balls which almost proved crucial.

The innings closed with eight wickets down and a total of 240, Shenley's highest this season.

St Albans began the run chase in style, despite losing an early wicket. Shenley's bowlers found it hard to contain the opposition, whose number two batsman went on to score 71.

That score was vital as the match reached its climax. Sloppy fielding was the reason for the defeat, moaned skipper Steve Scott.

Four catches were dropped, and bowler Jon Haley would have claimed a five-wicket haul on another day.

Shenley's frustration summed up a disappointing season. The feeling remains that if the fielding and batting had remained consistent throughout the season, a higher league position would have been attained.

Shenley will be gunning for revenge when they tackle Essendon this Saturday in a friendly.

The Sunday XI were beaten heavily by the opposition earlier in the season.

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