Captain Carr keeps a cool head to guide Dunstable home

Dunstable Town's first team leapt three places in the Saracens Herts League Championship on Saturday as they beat fellow strugglers Hemel Hempstead at Lancot Park by six wickets.
Ben Adamson made a vital 45 for Dunstable Town IIIs at the weekendBen Adamson made a vital 45 for Dunstable Town IIIs at the weekend
Ben Adamson made a vital 45 for Dunstable Town IIIs at the weekend

After being asked to field, Luke Cherry (3-27) and Guy Hill (2-28) made early inroads to leave Hemel 69-5.

Spinner Mike Alston then came on to leak just 18 runs in 14 overs, whilst Jack Kilduff took 4-30 as Dunstable were set a mere 127.

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Dunstable’s fragile batting line-up of recent weeks were reduced 20-3 before captain Brad Matthews and Terry Carr were brought together.

Gurwinder Singh was involved in a crucial last wicket standGurwinder Singh was involved in a crucial last wicket stand
Gurwinder Singh was involved in a crucial last wicket stand

Matthews hit 33 as he and Carr put on 90 for the fourth wicket, while Carr guided his side home with an unbeaten 76 as Dunstable made 128-4.

Dunstable’s second team retained top spot in Division Four B as they drew with second-placed Langleybury.

Jason Strong continued his recent form by hitting 60 as Dunstable reached 221-6 from 40 overs, while Ian Gilbert smashed an unbeaten 52 and Andy Boocock added 43.

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Sam Marshall then took 2-15, but Langleybury hung on at 112-4 from 34 overs.

Dunstable's Brandon Pratt looks for runsDunstable's Brandon Pratt looks for runs
Dunstable's Brandon Pratt looks for runs

Adam Lewis starred once again as Dunstable’s third team opened up a 39-point gap at the top of Division Eight B, beating Hemel Hempstead IVs by eight wickets.

Town bowled their hosts out for just 116 as Lewis took a fantastic 3-5 from 10 overs, while Ayaz Ahmed also took 3-15 from 11 overs in what was a brilliant bowling performance from the visitors.

Lewis then got Dunstable off to a good start with the bat by hitting a run-a-ball 40 whilst Ned Whitney anchored the innings with an unbeaten 47 from 71 balls as Dunstable eased to 117-2.

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There was contrasting fortunes once again for the IVs as they lost their third Beds Invitation League Division Two game in a row by seven wickets against Great Barford & Mowsbury.

Gurwinder Singh was involved in a crucial last wicket standGurwinder Singh was involved in a crucial last wicket stand
Gurwinder Singh was involved in a crucial last wicket stand

A poor batting performance saw them bowled out for just 69 despite a valiant 27 from James Andrews, before Sam Spokes claimed 2-25 in Barford’s reply of 71-3.

With the Sunday first and second team’s games washed out, Dunstable’s third team travelled to Bedford and had Ben Adamson to thank for getting any kind of result.

After being skittled for 27 by the same opposition last season, Dunstable collapsed to 26-8, but 45 from Adamson and 19 from number 11 Gurwinder Singh saw Dunstable struggle to 87 all out.

Thanks to Adamson, Dunstable hung on until the rain intervened and the game was abandoned at tea before Bedford had the chance to bat, meaning the points were shared at 10 each.