Scorecard

Radlett CC 1st XI v Knebworth Park on Sat 01 Jul 2006 at 11:30
Radlett CC Won 10 wickets

Match report Radlett retained their position as joint leaders of the Home Counties Premier League Division 2 East with a comprehensive destruction ok Knebworth Park at Cobden Hill. Openers Shane Burger (121 not out) and Nick Fielden (81 not out) constructed a marvellous partnership featuring some fine stroke play and aggressive running between the wickets., and they took Radlett past the victory target of 217 in just 38 overs and in cruise mode, like a jockey easing a champion race horse over the finishing line a dozen lengths clear of the field. Both players took advantage of a missed chance to ruthlessly punish the Knebworth bowlers for anything off line, boundaries scored at will over the lightening fast outfield as the total was made to look meagre. In truth, Knebworth were about 60-70 runs short of a really competitive total given the idyllic conditions for batting that prevailed.

Earlier in the day it appeared that Radlett were in for a stiff test of their title chasing credentials as Knebworth recovered from the early loss of David Lowe, lbw to Stuart Browne for a duck, to take control of the early overs through some aggressive batting by Hertfordshire keeper-batsman Tom Jenkins. He unleashed a series of sweetly timed straight and cover drives as Burger for the first time this season struggled to make an impact with the new ball. It was 15 year old league debutant Rob Watson who made the vital breakthrough, finding the edge of Jenkins' flashing blade, the chance swallowed by the safe hands of Rob Smith at slip. Australian all rounder Anthony Pratt took over at the crease and found the boundary through the legside regularly, but Browne's change of ends and the introduction of Haydn Smith's left arm spin slowed the scoring rate which had been just shy of 5 an over after 20 overs. before Smith picked up a wicket and Knebworth went to lunch on 138-3 off 36 overs, still in a strong position with Pratt and Tony Skeggs at the crease.

However, Radlett seized control after the match in the post lunch session, to the extent that off their remaining 24 overs Knebworth managed just 78 runs, and just a single boundary in the final 10 overs. This was down to some superb fielding and remorseless bowling from Smith and Browne, who having trapped Pratt lbw for 50 proceded to dry up the runs at one end and finished with a return of 2-87 off 29 overs. Smith claimed the dangerous Skeggs thanks to a smart stumping by veteran keeper David Hanson as he finished a superb 17 over spell with 2-41. Rob Smith added two smart run outs to his earlier slip catch to complete a fine day in the field for both himself and the team.

It proved the pivotal session of the match, and a potentially tricky 260-270 run chase became a more straight forward 217, Burger and Fielden doing it themselves and in fine style. Potters Bar narrowly defeated Stevenage to remain level on points at the top of the league with Radlett, whilst Welwyn Garden City could only manage a draw at Sawbridgeworth to remain 15 points off top spot. Intruigingly, the visitors to Cobden Hill this Saturday are Welwyn Garden City, as the HCPL reaches its half way point.

Radlett skipper Dan Chippeck commented:" Our general attitude, fielding and bowling after lunch was the deciding factor in this fixture. I am extremely proud of the efforts of the entire team in extreme heat to work together and fight hard when it really mattered when the game was up for grabs in that session. We took our chances when they came along, and to restrict a strong batting side like Knebworth to 216 off 60 overs in those conditions was tremendous. It was indeed gratifying that our openers displayed such ruthlessness to ensure those efforts were rewarded, and some of the stroke making was a delight to watch".

Radlett CC 1st XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 0 wickets
0
219
(0.0 overs)		    
Nick Fielden Not Out  81
Shane Burger Not Out  121
David Hanson   1 1
Rob Smith   1
Mitz Choksi  
Dan Chippeck  
Rob Watson  
Steve Lowe  
Rob Smith  
Stuart Browne  
Haydn Smith  

Knebworth Park Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Knebworth Park Batting
Player name Runs
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 8 wickets
0
216 (0.0 overs)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Radlett CC 1st XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Shane Burger10.014800.004.80
Stuart Browne29.0587243.503.00
Rob Watson4.0025125.006.25
Haydn Smith17.0241220.502.41

  • Umpire :
    Peter Hinstridge & Alan Price
  • Scorer :
    Doreen Browne