Potters Bar Cricket Club’s first game of the season ended in disappointment as they were beaten by 23 runs against Stevenage in the Home Counties Premier League Twenty20 competition.

Bar won the boss and inserted their opponents. It looked the right choice as Stevenage openers Sved Ali Kazmi (four) and Chris Whitworth (nine) failed to make an impact on the score.

Number three Shadrack Gittens-Browne helped steady the Stevenage innings as he struck 46 off 39 balls and he was supported by Laurie Brown (30).

Quick-fire knocks of 17 not out and 11 not out from David Carr and Charlie Goodchild helped Stevenage to a total of 155 for seven from their 20 overs.

Alfie Duke finished with 27 for three, while there were single wickets for Tanweer Sikandar, Salman Choudhry and Ben Taylor. With the bat Sikandar got Potters Bar off to a good start with 19 but fellow opener Harrison Palmer was dismissed without troubling the score.

Peter Sogdodjor hit 24 but Coughlan (18), Taylor (16) and Dave Fennell reached double figures as Bar were skittled on 123.

Potters Bar begin their Home Counties Premier Cricket League Division One campaign on Saturday when they take on Harpenden.

In Division One of the Middlesex League, Stanmore face Twickenham while Finchley face Richmond.