Northampton Exiles' first team drew against Hertford, at the weekend.

They were denied victory as they bowled 18 fruitless overs at the seventh-wicket pair of rivals Hertford 2nd XI in their Saracens Herts Cricket League Division 4 encounter.

Hertford finished on 132-6, well short of Exiles total of 185.  Given a sound start by David Taylor (61), who was  supported by Paul Frost (17) and Amar Patel (19), Exiles were 96-3 when the drinks break came halfway through their innings.

But despite useful knocks from Haroon Akhtar (28) and Adrian Browne (20), the lower order faded against Hertford spinners.

Brazill (3-46) and Carlson (4-45) did the damage.

Exiles lost their last 5 wickets for 33 to be dismissed for 185 midway through the last over.  But Hertford never threatened, and struggled to 27-2 against spinners Adrian Browne (2-11) and Anil Mistry.

Wes Strang (2-9), Haroon Akhtar (1-20) and Steve Langellier (1-25) reduced Hertford to 56-6, but Exiles were unable to press home their advantage.

Carlson (31*) and Cooper (17*) held out for the rest of the innings as Exiles eventually tried eight bowlers in their vain efforts to break the stand.  Exiles are now just five points clear at the head of Division 4.    Meanwhile, Northampton Exiles 2nd XI beat leader's Old Camdenians in Div easily, by 149 runs.  Exiles raced to 279-3 in only 47 overs, Amit Naik (108) and Bernie Bower (52) sharing a partnership of 96 before Tony O'Neill (79*) capitalised on their good work.  Camdenians got off to a bright start, but, after Nathan Knox (1-55) and Ken Thomas (1-31) had eventually got rid of their openers, Rizwan Badar (4-14) and Corin Hosier (3-22) caused a collapse and dismissed Camdenians for 130 with some 22 overs to spare.

  Elsewhere, Northampton Exiles 3rd XI went down by 99 runs to Reed 3rd XI.  Reed declared at 215-7, with Dharmesh Patel (2-51) and Jaydip Desai (2-12) meeting with most success for Exiles, and then dismissed Exiles for 116, with the only prolonged resistance coming from James Cook (27*).