Scorecard

Radlett CC 3rd XI v Hemel Hempstead 111 on Sat 06 Aug 2005 at 1.30
Radlett CC Won win 8 wkts

Match report Radlett 3rds have had a good run of late. Seven wins from the last nine matches, from a base of bottom of the league after the first four games. What’s the plan? Of course to get promotion, but we have had guest players who have boosted the side and distorted our aspirations.

Today, Hardy lost the toss and was asked to field. He was happy. Our opposition Hemel Hempstead beat one of the top teams last week, but didn’t have the confidence to bowl at us. Richard Hardy was of course right to be happy as his bowlers got the best of the conditions.

And they took advantage. Ross Carpenter was the pick of the bowlers, dismissing three good batsmen. Ross is back to his best. Josh Rosh also bowled well without luck, and Meeps did what he does. He spins it, causes doubt, and if he doesn’t get a wicket, the bloke at the other end does.

The trump card was Chris Brown, who ended with four for eight, bowling with great skill.

Yet when Hemel, (who had stuffed a top three side last week), were 70-9, they refused to give up, and put on fifty before Hardy took responsibility and took the last, most important wicket.

Last year, this team fielded beautifully, the best this author (an authority) can ever remember. But this year is better. Today the news is that Tony Johnson missed a catch. He already has the record for catches in the 3rd XI, and caught a further two. Tim Smithers caught two difficult ones, and Richard Hardy and Dom Ingram caught beauties. When I was captain five years ago, the standard of fielding was three leagues lower. If you were batting and caught in the slips, you felt cheated. The big John Crocker has changed all that. He catches slip catches.

One dropped catch. And the ground fielding, led by the quite brilliant Josh Rose, who today took a caught and bowled chance that would was more a vague opportunity than a chance, exemplified the strength of this cheerful and talented side.

Hemel were eventually bowled out for 121 in 40 overs. Testament to the fact that the pitch had dried out some, but that Hemel had strength in depth.

With 60 overs to get 122, our best batter, Cambell Horlock, wasted his wicket. 3 for 1 in the second over. Enter Amjad Khan to join Dom Ingram. Hemel had to wait 28 overs to get their next wicket, by which time but one one run was needed for victory.

Khan batted with aggression and passion to get his first fifty of the season for the Thirds, which is an oddity as he is probably the best batter in the side. Amjad destroyed the bowling, and well though Ingram batted, he was always second fiddle to Khan’s imperious front-foot bullying.

Khan submitted attempting a six with one to win having scored a majestic 62. Ingram was left not out 43 having batted responsibly and skilfully against a good attack.

An excellent win. We have removed good batsmen, with good bowling, and fielding above and beyond the remit of a 5th division side. And now the batting is sound. Today, having lost our best batter in the second over, we never wavered. In the past, this match might well have been drawn or lost.

Perhaps we should look to the captaincy for the reasons for this success. Although it hurts me to say, the captain has been strong, flexible, intelligent and charismatic. Now is the time to sign him up for next year, whatever league this side plays in.


Radlett CC 3rd XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 2 wickets
0
125
(0.0 overs)		    
Dominic Ingram Not Out  43 1
Cambpell Horlock Caught  0
Amjad Khan Caught  68
Tim Smithers Not Out  0 2
Richard Hardy   1
John Crocker   1
Tony Johnson   2
Josh Rose   1
Chandana Meepegama  
Josh Rose  
Ross Carpenter  

Hemel Hempstead 111 Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Hemel Hempstead 111 Batting
Player name Runs
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 10 wickets
0
121 (0.0 overs)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Radlett CC 3rd XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Josh Rose12.0156156.004.67
Ross Carpenter11.0037312.333.36
Chandana Meepegama8.031400.001.75
Chris Brown7.03842.001.14
Richard Hardy1.10212.001.71

  • Umpire :
    P Irwin
  • Scorer :