Waltham X Rosedale v Radlett CC 2nd XI on Sat 05 Aug 2006 at 13:30
Radlett CC Won 5 wickets
An extraordinary innings of 91 not out in just 38 deliveries by Radlett fast bowler Simon Jackson saw Radlett surge to victory in just 40 overs, as they chased a challenging total of 251-9 posted by Waltham X Rosedale.
Play had been briefly halted during the Waltham X innings while a mini-tornado passed over the ground, taking with it a bar umbrella, Mary Poppins-style. But this was nothing compared to the storm that was to come. Jacko had been pencilled in at no.11 after bowling 15 draining overs in the afternoon heat, but with Radlett on 143-5 after 30 overs and now needing to score at 6.4 an over, skipper Amjad Khan decided that some lusty blows were required to help things along. There followed 10 overs of mayhem, as Jacko used just 25 scoring shots to scorch his way to 91. In what was the most dramatic display of clean hitting that many of his team mates had witnessed, Wacko Jacko hit 8 sixes and 5 fours to ensure there was no repeat of the previous weeks’ failure to close out the match when a similar scoring rate was needed.
Radlett had lost Jim Chaudry in the second over, but Muhammad Akoojee and Dave Robinson took the score steadily to 78 before Robbo was bowled attempting a pull shot to a ball that skidded on. When Jim Lewis fell two overs later for 0, followed swiftly by Simon Randall (9), things were looking tight with the score on 113-4 off 25 overs. Mohammed Akoojee was still there though, having survived one chance on his way to another stylish 50, but his dismissal for 83 in the 30th over, caught behind off a risky cut shot, set the alarm bells ringing. Enter Jacko to partner the steady Robbie Crocker, who proved the perfect foil for his aggressive partner, finishing with a vital 37 not out.
That Radlett had to chase such a challenging score was something of a surprise after Waltham X had compiled just 41 runs off their first 20 overs, in the face of aggressive ground fielding and tight bowling from Heath Paynter and the versatile Jackson. However, as has become the norm this season, Radlett let their opponents off the hook in the second half of their innings, as the change bowlers offered too many four balls, chances went begging in the slips and the ground fielding grew sloppier by the minute.
Paynter had taken the first two wickets to fall, but a second wicket partnership of 146 between the solid Dyer (79) and the edgy Beverstock (88) built on a slow start to take the score to 173, before Dyer perished to a good catch in the deep off Akoojee. Akoojee was getting significant, albeit slow, turn with his leg-spin and continued to pick up wickets whilst taking heavy punishment, finishing with 5 for 73 off just 11 overs as Waltham X smashed their way to 251-9. Jackson returned to knock over two tailenders and finish with an excellent 2-49 off 15 overs. Paynter, who took three excellent catches, finished with 2-28 off his 12 overs.
With Cockfosters losing, Radlett have now opened up a gap of 24 points over the chasing pack of four teams. However, with games coming up against three of them, Radlett know they need to develop more of a killer instinct in the field if they are to stay out in front.
Radlett CC 2nd XI Batting
252 for 5
Waltham X Rosedale Bowling
Waltham X Rosedale Batting
251 for 9
Radlett CC 2nd XI Bowling