CRICKET: Cockfosters unable to make final breakthrough

10:21pm Monday 12th May 2008

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COCKFOSTERS narrowly missed out on victory as they drew at home to Preston in Division 2 of the Saracen Herts Cricket League.

The Chalk Lane side was unable to take the crucial final wicket as Preston finished on 179-9 in reply to their hosts' 208-8.

However, maximum batting points mean that they are now third in the table.

Cockfosters batted first and Declan O'Leary followed up his half century last week with another fluent knock before unexpectedly holing out for 39.

All of the batting order chipped in without anyone going on to make a big score, with Danny Becker and Tony Sayers adding a brisk 50 in the final six overs to take the home side to 208-8 off the maximum 53 overs.

In reply Preston were always slightly behind the required rate and also lost wickets at regular intervals.

Matt Stead was the most successful bowler for Cockfosters, taking 3-48 from 11 overs.

Unlike last week, though, the final wicket would not come despite Stead's hostile final over which almost saw the number 11 batsman bowled out and also saw an edge just fly past the diving second slip.