Serious Cricket Home Counties Premier League - Division 1

Aston Rowant were made to pay for inserting visitors Harpenden as they were hammered by 154 runs.

It did not look that bad straight away as Karl Penhale removed opener Greg Cooper for just six with the score on 13.

Harpenden were 129-3 at lunch, but then Ben Clements (150no) and Chris Bennett-Baggs (96no) cut loose as they closed on 320-3.

Rowant skipper Wes Morrick finished with 2-158 on a frustrating day for his side.

In reply, Rowant openers Tim Morgan (17) and Alex Jewell (21) put on 41 for the first wicket.

But Ben Frazer (5-45) and Jake Pankhurst (2-17) turned the screw and the best Rowant could hope for was a draw.

A 54-run stand between Tom Needham (27no) and Leigh Lewis (19) could not save them from a sorry defeat as they were all out for 166.