After defeat on the opening weekend of the Herts Cricket League, St Albans kick-started their campaign with a six-wicket victory over Bishops Stortford Seconds on Saturday.

St Albans controlled the match and were good value for the victory, which could have come by a bigger margin.

Having won the toss, St Albans opted to take the ball in hand, a decision which looked misplaced when Jaya Fernando hit a quick-fire 26 after being dropped on zero.

The hosts soon turned the game back in their favour as Jacob Winfield’s first wicket of the season sparked a flurry of dismissals.

Four wickets fell in the next hour and St Albans eventually ended the Stortford innings for an eminently achievable 136.

Max Capaldi was their most prolific bowler as he claimed 3-26, while Daniel Rosson (2-10), Michael Grossett (2-23), Jacob Winfield (2-29) and Simon White (1-24) also struck.

Stortford’s meagre total meant the run chase was always likely to be a formality, providing St Albans maintained their focus.

They did exactly that and openers Adam Hounslow (35) and White (61) set the foundations for victory.

The duos’ efforts took St Albans to within touching distance, despite Michael Goodfellow (0) and Jamie Regan (4) falling cheaply.

It was left to Matt Howeson and Capaldi to finish the job as both ended the match unbeaten.

Joe Clune and Dean Llyod were the only Stortford bowlers to have any joy, claiming 2-9 and 2-20 respectively.

St Albans continue their campaign with a home game against Ickleford Firsts on Saturday.

Victory would be St Albans’ second of the season and help them build momentum in their Division 2A season.

London Colney were in similarly sprightly form, securing a 82-run win over Cockfosters Seconds.

They made the most of being asked to bat first and some smart rotation of the strike from Rick Zeiderman and Mitch Bradley put them in the ascendency.

The pair scored at a rate of five an over for the first 20 overs before Zeiderman fell for 57 – his third half-century of the season.

Bradley’s 67 and an impressive 61 from Scott Hadley, who had been promoted to three, continued the fine batting display as Colney closed on 280-6.

Tim Fretter (37) and John Pinkman (17 not out) also impressed with the bat.

Cockfosters’ response could scarcely have got off to a worse start and they were soon three down after a fiery spell of bowling from Andy Coley.

He was ably supported by Matt Bristow, who took 3-28 from his 10 overs to leave Cockfosters struggling.

They ultimately fell someway short of their target as Colney bowled them out for 198.

Colney will look to carry their form into a meeting with local rivals Redbourn. The match is likely to be one of the biggest tests of the season.