St Albans continued their unbeaten start to the new season with a five-wicket win at Welwyn Garden City Seconds in a game featuring various twists which was finally settled by Max Capaldi and Phil Caley.

Choosing to bat, Welwyn started well before Daniel Byford skied a pull to Matt Howeson. Soon after a back problem forced Jacob Winfield out of the attack.

The hosts were scoring well with Luke Wilde in particular scoring freely until run out by Caley.

Mbekezeli Mabuza and Uttam Vijender, playing in place of the poorly James Rosson, then tied up the batsmen as six overs produced ten runs and five wickets with Welwyn restricted to 198 for eight.

Sandipan Chanda and Ben Nicholl opened brightly, with the former his typical self in wanting to score quickly and dominate the bowling. With the score on 74, the opposition struck twice, removing Chanda for 46 and Mabuza for a first-ball duck.

Howeson struggled to up the rate before both fell to Byford. With 85 required, but with plenty of wickets in hand, Caley joined Capaldi and immediately began to stroke the ball around with a freedom which few had shown before.

Their partnership of 89 took 78 balls and saw St Albans home with 70 balls to spare.

The win leaves them 17 points clear at the top of Herts Division Two B.