Scorecard

Radlett CC 1st XI v Welwyn Garden City on Sat 08 Jul 2006 at 11:30
Radlett CC Lost By 5 wkts

Match report Radlett's unbeaten record in the HCPL Division 2 East went up in smoke on Saturday as Welwyn Garden City left Cobden Hill with the spoils and leapfrogged the hosts to claim top spot at the halfway mark of the season. It was a fixture that promised much as two of the best teams in the county squared up, but whilst Radlett under performed with bat and ball, Welwyn raised there efforts to shrug off two disappointing results to claim the 25 pts to get themselves back in championship frame.

Radlett skipper Dan Chippeck won the toss and elected to bat first on a pitch that looked full of runs, and openers Nick Fielden and Shane Burger made a solid start against former Middlesex and Somerset all-rounder Aaron Laraman and Nick Lamb, taking the score past 50 when Fielden played back to a ball of full length and was bowled by Laraman for 28. The balance of the game swiftly swung Welwyn's way when Murty Hussein entered the attack with his off spin, and he claimed a quick double strike dismissing Steve Lowe and Rob Smith to leave Radlett in some trouble at 77-3. However, Graham Dill joined Burger at the crease and the two form players in the Radlett side combined to stabilise the innings and take the score to 101-3 off 31 overs at lunch, before accelerating after the interval to assume control, Dill severely punishing anything loose whilst Burger was content to anchor the innings at the other end. With 14 overs of their allocation remaining, Radlett were 173-3 and in a good position, but Hussein who had bowled unchanged from the 18th over the innings turned the course of the match with 3 quick wickets, Dill caught behind for a well made 56, quickly followed by Haydn Smith caught at point, before crucially Burger was smartly stumped by Tom Pearman for 73. When Ben Fraser picked up the wicket of Brenden Hutchings shortly thereafter, Radlett had subsided to 193-7 and all momentum had been lost. Skipper Chippeck was joined by youngster Mitz Choksi and they added useful runs in sensible fashion to ensure the full allocation of 60 overs were used, Radlett's total of 219-8 though was below par given the fast scoring conditions. Murty Hussein finished his marathon 21 over spell with outstanding figures of 5-58.

In reply, Welwyn skipper Martin James started in typically aggressive fashion, unwilling to allow any bowler to settle in to a line and length, and supported by mark Everett the opening stand reached 50 at just under 5 an over before Graham Dill claimed Everett, leg before wicket for 14, and followed up by having Lamb caught by keeper Lowe for 12. James was still playing in positive fashion but not without risks, and he fell attempting an extravagant pull shot off a good length ball from Burger for a run-a-ball 47. At 82-3 the game was very much in the balance, but Ed Tucker took advantage of liberal amounts of good fortune to strike 35 before being superbly run out by Rob Smith, but with Aaron Laraman settling in and the required run rate hovering between 4 and 5 an over, Welwyn were well in control of the chase.Man of the match Murty Hussein arrived at the crease and hit out boldly to hammer a quick 50 to go with his earlier 5 wicket haul to seal Radlett's fate. He fell with 6 needed to win, but Laraman completed the job to finish 48 not out as the target was reached with 3 overs to spare.

Radlett captain Dan Chippeck was philosophical in defeat:" We were not at our best with bat or ball today, and as a consequence were well beaten by a talented outfit, whilst Murty Hussein turned in an outstanding individual performance for them. We have had some straight forward victories in recent weeks so this comes as bit of a wake up call at a good time, and gives us the chance to show our metal by coming back from this defeat as a stronger more determined team. Being just 2 points behind Welwyn means we are right in the mix at the top going in to the second half of the season, and there is no reason why we cant be there or thereabouts come September".

Radlett travel to Hemel Hempstead this Saturday, seeking to get their title challenge back on track at the home of the bottom placed team in the HCPL Division 2 east.

Radlett CC 1st XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 8 wickets
0
219
(0.0 overs)		    
Nick Fielden Bowled  28 1
Shane Burger Bowled  73
Steve Lowe Caught  7 1
Rob Smith Caught  4
Graham Dill Caught  56
Haydn Smith Caught  0
Brenden Hutchings Caught  11 1
Dan Chippeck Caught  9
Mitz Choksi Not Out  13
David Hegarty Not Out  1
Stuart Browne  

Welwyn Garden City Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Welwyn Garden City Batting
Player name Runs
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 5 wickets
0
222 (0.0 overs)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Radlett CC 1st XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Stuart Browne11.325700.004.96
Haydn Smith6.002800.004.67
Shane Burger14.0362231.004.43
Graham Dill8.0143221.505.37
David Hegarty7.002500.003.57

  • Umpire :
    Alan Wells & Kevin Beaumont
  • Scorer :
    Doreen Browne