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Six for Heath as 1st XI returns to form

30 Aug: Despite initial Falkland resistance, Radlett's seamers took control with Heath Paynter leading the way taking 6 for 10. Radlett made short work of the 102 target as Felix Walker (43*) and Tom Jenkins (44*) saw the home side to victory in just 17.5 overs.

The 1st XI, despite three defeats leading up to victory over Falkland, still have an outside chance of the title if they are convincing winners at Oxford next weekend. This win over Falkland has taken Radlett to its highest points total in HCPCL division one, beating the 245 points achieved in 2003 when finishing fifth.

The 2nd XI continued their fine season, on the unusual territory of the bottom pitch. A solid batting performance from the top order set a target of 224. Stuart Browne kept it tight and Sheilen Patel came good at the end with 5 for 60 so seal a 23 run victory.

The 3rd XI had to wait for the breakthrough against Wormley. Prabhu Arumugam took the first three, finishing with 5 for 33 whilst Ross Carpenter picked up 4. The 115 target was achieved thanks largely to Shamit Nathwani (43) and Zahur Gitay (27).

Once Jamie Wells (42) departed, the 4th XI had Kailash Morjaria (68) and the lower order to thank for being able to post a reasonable target. However, Hertford III never came close as Neil Lederman bowled superbly to take 5 for just 16 in 14 overs.

The 5th XI fell to a, what is now rare, defeat. Despite having a number of potentially match-winning batters in the side, they slumped to 120 all out and although Daniel Cohen weighed in with 3 wickets, WGC IV were comfortable winners by 5 wickets.

Tea break is Radlett's downfall

23 Aug: In a must win match at Tring Park, Radlett, despite their lack-lustred performance in the field, looked the favourites at the beginning of the final session. Felix Walker was going well and there were plenty of wickets in hand. Walker fell and the innings crumbled as Radlett ended up 23 runs short.

After John Barr had ripped through the Knebworth Park II top order, the 2nds came up against a strong middle order and found themselves chasing 253 for victory. With the top four all getting runs, Jim Chaudry (68), Lloyd Paternott (48), John Barr (47), Richard Cameron (64*), a win was always on and duly arrived, the margin being 6 wickets. The 3rd XI had a dismal outing against Clarendon.

The 4th XI cut it fine again. Letchworth III were confined to 120 with Shameel Ahmed taking 5 for 35 and Richard Hardy 3 for 14. The reply started well, collapsed in the middle and then had the lower order to thank for seeing them home by 1 wicket.

Asked to bat by Sawbridgeworth IVs, the 5ths did their hosts no favours as they rattled up 202 for 5. With no points at tea, the Sawbo task had become all or nothing and they ended up with nothing as Radlett bowled them out for 126, Vikram Rajput taking 4 wickets and Mayur Hindocha clearing up at the end with 3 for 4.

Barker's break as Radlett suffers

16/17 Aug: Paul Barker suffered a broken finger and without his bowling, the Ist XI slid to a 4 wicket defeat against Henley. Tom Jenkins top scored with 41. Heath Paynter took 3 wickets. Barker's second ball was driven back at him by the former Middlesex bowler Chad Keegan, smashing the little finger of his left hand, which required an operation at Barnet General Hospital.

The 2nd XI were two-wicket winners against Preston. Chasing 147, Radlett squeezing home to keep alive their slim promotion hopes. Jim Chaudry anchored the innings with 51, supported by Dave Robinson (27) and Mike Crocker (21*).

The 3rds all but beat Watton-on-Stone. Simon Gray (85) anchored the innings with support coming from Zahur Gitay (42). Radlett were unable to capture the final wicket, Prabhu Arumugam and Hasit Mehta taking 3 wickets each. The 4th XI were well beaten by Hatch End.

The 5th XI cruised to victory over Southgate Adelaide III by 132 runs. Charlie Randall declared after just 40 overs with the score on 248-2, Shabbir Foyez (76), Andy Griffiths 70*), Mayur Hindocha (59). Only Riaz provided any resistance as spinners Randall and Matt Barrett wrapped up the innings.

On Sunday, the women's 1st XI made it two wins in as many weeks with victory over Mote II. Lower order resistance, Laura Lambert (12*), Viv Clark (35), Emily Grist (36) enabled Radlett to reach 149-7. A good all round bowling performance, Michele Verroken and Helen Clifford taking 3 wickets each, enabled Radlett to run out winners by 14 runs.

Women brighten up the weekend

9/10 Aug: The 1st XI were the only team to see any cricket on Saturday, managing 30 overs at WGC before the weather closed in.

On Sunday, the women's 1st XI returned to winning ways over local rivals East Herts. Hayley Arrol fell four short of a century and with Catherine McNeill (53*) they reached 197-5. In reply, East Herts reached 134-7, wickets going to Viv Clark (3), Arrol (2) and Helen Gifford (1).

Banbury gain revenge at Radlett

2 Aug: The first XI failed to complete the double over Banbury, going down by 4 wickets. The total of 162 (Graham Dill 37) never looked to be enough and although Radlett made the batsmen fight for every run it was not to be Radlett's day as the slipped to second in the league.

The weather put paid to both the 2nd and 3rd XI fixtures. As a result, any lingering hopes the 2nds had of promotion are probably now gone. The loss of three games to the weather has put them at a distinct disadvantage. They might well have been in a promotion slot having only lost one league match this season.

The 4th XI confined Southgate Compton to just 133. Meeps was back but it was Toby Sutherland (4-33) and debutant Asad Hussain (3-26) who took the spoils. The Radlett top order batting came and went, with the except of Richard Hardy who towered above the rest with 71 not out, in the end, supported by Sutherland and Meeps, seeing Radlett to victory by 3 wickets.

The 5th XI again showed how strong they are, frightening another of the promotion challengers. Although the match ended in a draw, the fact that Radlett took 18 points to Met Police's zero indicated the inequality in the teams. Two sparking innings, a maiden league fifty from Hemal Malde who went on to make 93 not out and a vintage 55 from Andy Griffiths, both innings at better than a run a ball, must have made the Met captain wish he had not asked Radlett to bat. Set 243 to win, the Met crawled to 137 for 8, Charlie Randall taking 4-39. Unfortunately, Radlett were unable to force home the advantage and claim the additional 12 points.

Radlett go top of the HCPCL

26 Jul: Victory at Reading took Radlett to the top of the Home Counties Premier League for the first time in over 5 years. Coming from behind, the win was achieved thanks almost in total to a maiden club century from Paul Barker. The Herts spinner who has been starring with the ball this season, proved his all round value, reaching 110 not out and snatching victory from under the noses of the hosts.

The 2nd XI restricted Northwood's first team to 181 and had little trouble in passing that total in just 33 overs.

The 3rd XI returned to winning ways as Hertford's second string fell 16 runs short chasing 203 to win. Dom Ingram (55) and Matt Soffair (26) gave Radlett a good start and Zahur Gitay (40) upped the tempo but 202 looked not enough. However, superb bowling from Prabhu Arumugam and Hasit Mehta (4 wickets each) supported by the 'keeping of Colin Warne and excellent all round fielding gave Iain Edwards' men another victory.

The 4ths fell just short at Boxmoor. Contained by some excellent bowling, especially Neil Lederman (6-52), the hosts looked to have posted an achievable target. Again, though, the batting collapsed, 62-7 at one stage, until Lloyd Paternott weighed in with a spectacular 108 to bring the 4s so close.

The 5ths had probably their best win of the season at promotion seeking Reed III. An opening half-century partnership by Mike Dexter and Shabbir Foyez set the scene for a sparking 76 from Andy Griffiths. The 217 target gave Charlie Randall the opportunity to attack. John Mansell put Reed on the back foot with a wicket from his first delivery and returned later to administer the coup de grâce. Matt Barrett also took 3 wickets to go with his 24 runs.

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