London Colney eased to a seven-wicket win over in-form Radlett Thirds in Herts Division Five A on Saturday.

Having lost the toss, visitors Radlett were asked to bat first by Rick Zeiderman on a dry pitch which looked decent for batting. Both of Colney’s openers have been among the wicket this season and between them removed the two Radlett openers with neither troubling the scorer.

Cole in particular was in stellar form, tearing through the Radlett middle order on his way to outstanding figures of five for 19 from his ten overs.

The Radlett batsmen found no release from the Colney change bowlers with Usman Zaman, Simon Fretter and John Pinkham all bowling tidily and picking up wickets as the visitors succumbed for 109 in just 28.5 overs.

In reply, Colney were once again unable to get off to a decent start with captain Zeiderman (8) and partner Craign Parker (0) both removed early on.

With the home side missing several batsmen, Colney stalwart Graham Seymour was promoted to fill the number three position and responded with a measured unbeaten knock of 51.

Seymour combined with Tim Fretter (33 not out) to add an unbroken 74 for the fourth wicket and see Colney to victory. London Colney Seconds claimed a 49-run win over Knebworth Park Fourths in Division Nine B.

Electing to bat upon winning the toss, Colney were quickly in trouble losing Tom Blackman, Adam Stuart and Pete Norris before John Gibbons (31) and Paul Hadley (24) staged a recovery. Late order runs from Billy Barnes (21), Maclan Gedera (28), Phil Smith (17 not out) and Jack Blackman (21) saw Colney recover strongly to finish on 181 for nine from their 50 overs.

Jack Blackam (two for 24) was quickly among the wickets, removing both Knebworth openers before Knebworth Park threatened to take the game away from Colney.

However, Colney’s slow bowlers Smith (two for 33) and Gibbons (three for seven) turned the game in the visitors’ favour as Knebworth’s lower order collapsed to give Colney the points.