North Enfield boosted their promotion hopes with an eight-wicket win over Wheathampstead in Herts Division Three on Saturday.

On a drying wicket, Wheathampstead won the toss and chose to bat first. A customary tight opening spell from Abdul Vahid Khan (two for 15) helped to keep a lid on the visitors’ scoring rate and a couple of wickets just before drinks had them at 78 for five.

From there on North Enfield squeezed the scoring rate and kept taking wickets at regular intervals. The team bowled Wheathampstead out for 144 from 40.1 overs with skipper Kieran Jones collecting figures of four for 26 from 9.1 overs.

With rain threatening, North Enfield set about the run chase in a positive manner with Jones hitting 76 not out from 79 balls faced and Tom Coughlan scoring an unbeaten 32.

The home side’s big hitters were padded up, ready to accelerate the scoring rate if needed. But some wayward bowling from Wheathampstead helped to keep the scoreboard ticking over. North Enfield quickly chased down the total in just 23.5 overs for the loss of two wickets.

The win sets up a last game of the season thriller this weekend at Allenburys & County Hall. North Enfield need just one point to secure promotion and whoever wins will be crowned champions.

North Enfield Seconds also enjoyed a 69-run at Hexton in Division Six B which ensured they are safe from relegation.

The side lost the toss and were put into bat on what would prove to be a difficult wicket. North Enfield were all out for 95 from 35.2 overs with skipper Mark Ricketts top scoring on 19.

However the low score proved to be more than enough with the home side being bowled out for just 26 from 14.2 overs. The damage was done by opener Jack Conningsby with figures of five for 12 from seven overs.

North Enfield’s third consecutive win leaves them sixth ahead of their final game of the campaign against Old Haberdashers.