Stevenage 221-4

Barnet 85

Barnet were outplayed by an enthusiastic Stevenage side on Saturday, suffering one of their heaviest defeats for years.

Accurate opening spells from skipper Hassan and newcomer Patel restricted Stevenage to 70-1 after 20 overs.

But spinners Jordan and Rashid were unable to contain the middle-order batsmen and Waterman (57), Baker (50) and Puckerin all scored half centuries.

With the score at 119-3 after 33 overs, Barnet still had a chance of limiting Stevenage to a reasonable total. However, sloppy fielding meant that three vital catches were dropped and the final tally of 221-4 always looked beyond Barnet.

Their innings started disastrously. Rashid should have been run out off the second ball, but miraculously survived. His luck did not last long as he tamely gave a catch to short mid-off with the score on one.

By the seventh, Barnet had crashed to 4-4, and to all intents and purpose the match was over.

Shukla (27), Ghadlia (18) and Hassan (28) gave a modicum of respectability to the score after the disastrous start.

The eight other batsmen managed only five runs between them, and all appeared in awe of Smith, who took 3-11 in 11 overs. His remarkable spell included eight maidens in his first nine overs. Burroughes (5-18) polished off the innings with his medium pace.

On Saturday Barnet are home to Hoddesdon and need to play with much more aggression and concentration, otherwise they could quickly find themselves back in the relegation zone.

Barnet's Johnstone achieved a hat-trick out of his 6-5 as Dunstable were dismissed for 88 on Sunday. Barnet won at 91-1 (Stickland 56no).

Other results: Stevenage II 179, Barnet II 158-7 (Bull 55). Barnet III 133 (Edwards 51), Chorleywood 119 (Holland 6-27).

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