Bottom side St Albans eased to a five-wicket win over Northchurch in Herts Division Two A.

The side picked up a first home victory of the campaign after a dominant performance to boost their hopes of avoiding relegation.

After winning the toss, Northchurch lost two early wickets to Henry Tyler and Charlie Smith before John Barry and in-form captain Mark Hobley added 85.

Both reached 50 on a slow, low pitch before Barry departed to Jim Chaudry for 53. Wickets fell at a steady rate as Max Capaldi followed a four-wicket haul the previous week with another as the late acceleration failed to fully materialise. He finished with four for 28 with Mark Telkman and Tyler picking up late victims as Northchurch were limited to 196 for nine.

The early reply was held together by Tyler while wickets fell around him at regular intervals. His departure, for 58 at 106 for five, left 91 to win from 23 overs. Phil Caley set to the task, hitting three consecutive boundaries off Barry, as he and Capaldi found scoring against some erratic bowling easier. Caley completed the match with a boundary to bring up his 50 from 43 balls.

The Saints, whose victory was their first in the league since May, will look to maintain their winning form this weekend when they take on Holtwhites Trinibis.

St Albans Seconds suffered a six-wicket defeat to Dunstable Seconds in Division Four B.

The Saints were dismissed for 139 from 49.2 overs and their opponents coasted to the target for the loss of four wickets.

St Albans Thirds earned a 68-run win over Great Gaddesden in Division Eight A.

Richard O'Toole top scored for the Saints hitting 71 as the side reached 250 for six.

Great Gaddesden were dismissed for just 182 with Ben Adshead faring best taking three for 19. Ryan O'Neill claimed three for 44 and there were two for 24 from Jamie Fleming.

In Regional Division B West, the Fourths were held by Redbourn Fourths.

St Albans hit 257 for eight but Redbourn clung on for a draw on 159 for eight.

London Colney earned a 93-run win over Flamstead in Division Five A.

After winning the toss, Colney opted to bat first and managed to score a total of 212 all out. Ady Fisher opened for the side and hit 24 along with 37 from John Pinckham.

Flamstead's reply was shortlived as the side were dismissed for 119. Simon Fretter picked up four for 26 for London Colney and Pinckham also impressed with the ball taking three for 22.

The result leaves them fifth in the table ahead of their game against Watford Town Seconds this weekend.