North Enfield Cricket Club Friendly XI vs Datchworth & Stage (H) - Saturday 03rd & Sunday 04th May 2025

North Enfield Cricket Club concluded their pre-season with a defeat and draw against Datchworth and Stage respectively at Strayfield Road, ahead of their league campaigns starting next week.

North Enfield were bowled out for 134 by Datchworth on Saturday in a 93 run defeat, but were frustrated by Stage reaching 104 - 6 on Sunday, as the match ended in a stalemate.

After being set 240 to win by Datchworth, North Enfield were always up against it and slipped to 104 - 7 at one stage, as their chances of victory swiftly slipped away.

Garry Orton’s defiant 57 helped them up towards and past 140 though, before the hosts were eventually bowled out for 146.

North Enfield had managed to keep Datchworth under relative control in the early stages, reducing the visistors to 57 - 2 in the 13^th over.

However, a 107 run third wicket partnership then took the game away from the hosts and Datchworth were ultimately able to reach 239, a total which proved to be too many for North Enfield.

Meanwhile, in Sunday’s timed game, North Enfield gave themselves a real chance of victory, by reducing Stage to 93 - 6 in their pursuit of 241 for victory.

Both opening bowlers struck in quick succession for the hosts, as first Ivian Varbanov and then Adam Jessop got North Enfield off to the perfect start.

A double strike from David Malleson and wicket for Oliver Munt then had the visitors reeling at 34 - 5 in the 16^th over.

Stage were then able to blunt the North Enfield attack and take time out of the game, with a fifth wicket partnership of 59 that spanned 20.2 overs and by the time Jessop claimed his second, North Enfield did not have enough time to force the victory.

Their dominant position in the game though was largely thanks to a brilliant batting display, as half centuries from captain Ishan Tilakaratna (77), David Brandon (56) and Freddie Pearson (58) allowed them to earlier declare on 240 - 4.

Next weekend sees North Enfield’s 1s travel to Flamstead and 2s host St Albans to kick off the league season, before Fives visit for a Sunday friendly.