Harpenden’s hopes of building on their previous week's victory over West Herts ended in disappointment as they suffered a 25-run defeat to Hertford in the Herts League Premier Division.

Having seen their opponents make 239 for six in their 50 overs in Saturday's contest, Harps were bowled out for 214 to leave them third-from-bottom of the table after four matches.

Hertford won the toss and elected to bat but Jack Doyle (2-31) enjoyed some early success, taking two wickets to leave the visitors on 39 for two.

Opener William Ray was already getting into his scoring stride though, and in tandem with Adam Carlson, they went on to produce the decisive stand of the match.

The pair put on 125 for the third wicket before Carlson was bowled by Andrew Neal (2-42). The bowler was also to take the wicket of Ray, but not before he had made a patient 111 and what was to prove the biggest innings of the match.

Although Harpenden lost captain Nick Lamb for 16, Tom Beasley (28) and Jake Pankhurst (40) continued to ensure the reply got off to a solid start before the former departed to leave the score at 75 for two.

The hosts continued to make progress, but three wickets for six runs were to prove pivotal as they slipped to 119 for five.

Scott Galloway did his best to push his side towards the target, sharing stands of 33 with Alex Axon (25) and 42 with Andrew Neal (21) as the side reached 194 for seven.

Galloway was to remain unbeaten on 37 but ran out of partners as Harps suffered a third defeat of the campaign.

Harpenden Seconds are also third-from-bottom in the Division One table following a 33-run loss against Preston.

Harps bowled their opponents out for 202 in 47.4 overs, but struggled in reply with the bat and fell short on 165 for nine.

It was also a disappointing Saturday for St Albans in Division Two A as they slumped to a seven-wicket defeat against St Margaretsbury.

The writing was on the wall for Saints after they had been dismissed for 140 in 37.1 overs and their opponents made relatively light work of reaching the target, achieving it in 31.3 overs with three men down.

There was better news for St Albans Seconds though, who ended Rickmansworth’s 100 per cent start to the season in a high-scoring encounter in Division Five A.

Although Ricky were bowled out, their total of 267 looked to be a tough ask.

But St Albans achieved it with room to spare, posting 269 for five in 45.5 overs to leave them in mid-table.