Leverstock Green II 150 Elstree 151-9 Saracens Hertfordshire Cricket League Division Seven With a much-depleted team Elstree got their revenge over Leverstock Green on Saturday.

Four regular players were missing from the home side, however fortunately for Sixth placed Elstree, Leverstock Green also appeared to have a number of players out from the team that halted Elstree's promotion hunt last year.

On winning the toss Elstree skipper Martyn Dunn had no hesitation to elect to field first in an aggressive plan to bowl out Leverstock Green quickly.

The plan appeared to be working with the first two wickets going down in the opening ten overs (Hisham 8-3-2-19), which included a remarkable stumping by the returning Andy Cadogan.

However, a stand of 59 by Leverstock's number 4 and 6 saw their score rally to 85-4 until the partnership was broken by Faizal (6-2-14-4).

Tight bowling ensued from the ever dependable Graham Cane (10-3-34-1).

However, Elstree only had limited bowling options and captain Dunn used every one during the game which saw wickets fall on a regular basis.

With two wickets remaining and some sloppy fielding Leverstock were beginning to amount a respectable score.

Action was required and Dunn brought himself back in dramatic fashion taking the remaining two wickets with two consecutive balls.

Leverstock Green were all out for 150.

While the target was small, Elstree knew that it would be difficult to chase, with a depleted batting line up.

However, with the return of Andy Cadogan and Logan, beginning to find some form, they made a good start.

Andy Cadogan was first to fall (12) with the score on 35.

A period of consolidation was required and between Logan and Dunn the score accumulated to 56, before Logan was caught by first slip (13).

This saw Faizal come to the wicket at an earlier stage than he would usually be seen, however the score continued to rise and the pair managed to get Elstree within 50 runs of winning, before Dunn was adjudged LBW for 33.

This was when Leverstock Green sensed the possibility of causing an upset and with some good bowling, coupled with some desperation batting, Elstree were floundering on 135 for 9. However, this was the cue for two stalwarts of the club, Graham Cane and John Grace, to bring the victory home.

Grace played some elegant shots on the off side in his unbeaten eight and Cane had the privilege of hitting the winning run.

Elstree's skipper was delighted after the game and said: "We were a very below par team today for a number of reasons.

"However, the sign of a good team is one that can win games despite not playing to the best of their ability."

Elstree travel to top of the Division Seven Old Owens on Saturday.