Scorecard

Winchmore Hill v Radlett CC 1st XI on Sun 03 Jul 2005 at 1:00
Radlett CC Won By 4 wkts

Match report Radlett travelled to Winchmore Hill looking for revenge for their National Cup defeat earlier in the season. It was in mixed conditions that the Evening Standard battle would be fought, with the Winchmore Hill innings played mainly in persistent drizzle. Both teams were well aware of each others strengths and weaknesses, and the game would be fought tactically with knowledge plentiful from previous games this year.

It was possibly a surprise to Winchmore Hill when Radlett chose to field first, and even more of a surprise to the Radlett team that skipper Hayden Smith had called correctly.

The decision was vindicated by the opening bowlers, Browne was masterful in his accuracy and variation, confusing the opening batsmen so much that he walked off thinking he was bowled only to find on his return to the crease that he had been run out instead.

David Taylor bowled his outswing with purpose and captured the key wicket of Bowen, who had looked dangerous. Wickets continued to fall as the rain came and at 108-7 Radlett were in control. Robinson played an excellent knock and his 73 helped ‘the hill’ to a final total of 168 all out. Simon Jackson returned to pick up the vital final two wickets in quick succession and leave the over allocation unfulfilled. Hayden Smith had earlier proved his worth again with the ball with three key wickets, including that of Law.

Radlett had completed most of the first half of the game with a wet ball and credit must go to Smith, Jackson and Dill who kept the ball in the right place often enough to prevent Winchmore Hill escaping their early loss of wickets. Indeed when wayward bowling had occurred Steve Lowe was on hand to take a fantastic leg side stumping. Perhaps the key moment was when Robinson, well set and with many overs to bat, skied an attempted shot very high into the air. The ball now soaking wet would be very difficult to catch. Who would take responsibility to catch it? As has been the case many times this year, the skipper was on hand at a key moment and took what was a very difficult catch safely.

At the break the sun came out, meaning that a wet ball was not now an issue and a very dangerous bowling attack was to be unleashed on a lively pitch. Nick Fielden and Nick Hampton, the 2003 Oval opening partnership, were paired again for the first time this year. Good running, excellent leaving and crisp timing punctuated some excellent bowling and Radlett set off nicely towards their total.

A flurry of wickets was to follow, as both openers and then Rob Smith and David Taylor were all accounted for. Thewlis was excellent again, with 3-20, and showed what a loss he is to the West Herts bowling attack. At 39-4 there was plenty of work to do.

Stephen Lowe and Graham Dill then set about reducing the target; firstly to get the target under a hundred, and then going down in tens from there. Shot playing was at a minimum yet with the depth of Radlett batting these two knew that 70 off the last ten was very achievable with 6 wickets left. They put on a vital 80 runs, with Dill falling with 8 overs to go and 56 needed. Jackson perished after a promising start, and then skipper Smith strode to wicket. Haydn is a man who has not batted in the league for three weeks yet he battered the bowling from ball one. His 27 not out included many fours, with the best a back foot straight drive over the bowlers head, one bounce into the sight screen.

Lowe had been serene throughout; impervious to any distractions. It was fitting that his shot was to be the death knell to Winchmore Hill hopes as the first ball of the last over found its way to the boundary and a good win for the away side. Lowe has class to spare and his was a studied and sensible innings taking his team safely into the next round. He picked his shots well and accelerated perfectly to seal a well-timed chase.

It was a hard game, played in mixed weather; the two teams shared a beer after and wished each other all the best in the competitions remaining. Winchmore Hill will play Havant in the last 16 of the National next weekend. They have a very strong all round side and have the potential to win that competition.

Radlett will now visit Blackheath in the last 16 of this Evening Standard Challenge Trophy on 17 July.

Radlett CC 1st XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 6 wickets
0
170
(0.0 overs)		    
Nick Fielden Bowled  9
Nick Hampton Caught  14
Rob Smith Bowled  8
Dave Taylor Caught  0
Steve Lowe Not Out  66 1 1
Graham Dill Caught  33
Simon Jackson Bowled  6
Haydn Smith Not Out  27 1
Dan Chippeck  
David Hegarty  
Stuart Browne  

Winchmore Hill Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Winchmore Hill Batting
Player name Runs
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 10 wickets
0
168 (0.0 overs)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Radlett CC 1st XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Dave Taylor8.0131215.503.87
Stuart Browne10.05900.000.90
Simon Jackson5.5030215.005.14
Haydn Smith8.0042314.005.25
David Hegarty4.001300.003.25
Graham Dill7.0039219.505.57

  • Umpire :
  • Scorer :
    Doreen Browne