Highlights in the bowling department were a fine 8-0-43-3 from Tom Maxwell and 5-1-39-4 for David Ogden who recovered well from a wayward opening over. Both bowlers were on hat tricks at one stage, with Oggy having his hat trick in the palm of hands as the Harp no.9 lobbed a straightforward caught and bowled chance back to him. Alas, the ball slipped through Oggy’s hands and rolled down his arms to the floor, onto which he then slumped in despair. Next time Oggy.

With Biggs (9) departing early, Saunders and Kay (13) steadied the Preston innings, bringing up 50 in the 16th over. Saunders (63) and man of the match Maxwell (53) then set about the Harpenden bowlers however, with six fielders on the boundary, momentum couldn’t be maintained as wickets began to fall. Ogden (22) provided some impetus late on but Preston couldn’t match the earlier firepower of Harpenden and ended at 187-6 from 40 overs.