St Albans’ Sunday team won their penultimate game in Chess Valley Division Two by 43 runs against fellow promotion hopefuls Highgate.

Dom Watkins scored 51 while Jack Ypey hit 37 but the star performer was Gareth Oakley with a match winning 122 off 79 balls as the side posted 265 for five.

Highgate got off to a steady start but bowling from Jamie Telkman (nought for 37) and Dom Watkins (one for eight) prevented late fireworks and helped the Saints claim the victory.

St Albans were held to a draw with Ampthill Town in Herts Division One.

Ampthill managed to score 253 all out from their innings but the Saints responded by finishing up on 209 for seven.

In Division Four, St Albans Seconds drew against Dunstable Seconds in a high scoring match.

Uttam Vijender (nought for 66) and Jamie Telkman (one for 35) bowled well for little reward, but Dunstable still managed to post a total of 267 for five from their 50 overs.

The Saints chase got off to a poor start with Mike Goodfellow (four) and Stuart Murray (two) both falling before the score had reached 20.

Captain Oakley took the game to Dunstable straight away – reaching 50 in just 39 balls – of which 44 came in boundaries.

A quickfire 58 not out from Vijender and Oakley, who finished on 133 not out off just 102 balls, pushed the run chase into the final over but Dunstable’s total proved too much as St Albans closed on 255 for six.