Slump: Charlie Randall’s side will be playing league one cricket next season
Charlie Randall’s young Firsts paid for their inconsistency as they were relegated on a dramatic final day of the Championship league season.
The Park were beaten by eight wickets by Totteridge Milhillians who chased down their inadequate 194 all out with ease.
With Langleybury skittling runaway league leaders Hertford for just 114 to clinch a shock win, the Park slipped to next to bottom after losing their last three games.
It was a disappointing end to a season that began with such promise, with the Park paying for their poor away form and for their failure to complete two victories in succession.
The Seconds failed to gain revenge over Totteridge Milhillians, as they had to settle for a draw against their second string, despite posting a decent 224-7.
The Thirds will also be relegated next year as the mathematical possibility of an escape evaporated at Preston II, who won by seven-wickets. Tom Hills posted his first half-century of the season but Preston’s Ashley Catlin, a former Park skipper, steered them home with with a well-made 41 not out.
At the Park, the Fourths provided the one bright sport of the day as they bundled out Rickmansworth III for 69, Pru Korivi claiming 6-41. Nick English (31*) and Jonathan Cirkel (21*) saw the Fourths home for the loss of just one wicket.
Skipper Dave Mantle hit 42 and Gareth Taylor a career-best 31 as the Fifths posted 128 all out. But they also finished their season in the relegation zone as Preston IV chased down the total for six wickets, despite a champagne moment for young spinner Henry Gallimore who trapped the opposition skipper, an old schoolfriend of his mum’s, lbw.
