Scorecard

Radlett CC 1st XI v Hemel Hempstead on Sat 24 May 2003 at
Radlett CC Won 6 wickets

Match report Radlett’s 6 wicket victory over fellow Hertfordshire side Hemel Hempstead saw the Cobden Hill outfit climb to the summit of the Home Counties Premier League for the first time in the competitions 4 year existence. The fact they were without their influential skipper David Houghton made the victory even more impressive.

Stand in skipper Nick Fielden won a crucial toss and invited the visitors to bat on a soft wicket. Radlett’s impressive new covers enabled the game to start on time but the previous weeks torrential rain had played havoc with the groundsman's preparations. It was not long before Hemel’s openers had soon departed, a wicket falling apiece to the impressive Kervin Marc & Stuart Browne. Hemel who badly miss their free scoring opening bat Arthur Dale never really got into their stride on a ground which has never been a happy one for them.

Although Martin Wright & Berry battled on bravely, neither looked like scoring enough runs to stem the run of defeats that the visitors have had to endure on the Cobden Hill ground in recent times and it was no surprise that at lunch Hemel had crawled to 51 for 5 from 36 overs.

After lunch Fielden juggle his two strike bowlers and Oz Edwards with increasing success and by the time that the final wicket had been taken, Browne had bagged 4 for a typically economical 35 runs from 24 overs, Edwards 3 for an equally miserly 23 and Kervin Marc was rewarded for his best bowling of the season with 3 wickets for 20.

Set a total of 88, Radlett wobbled on a couple of occasions before passing their target with 45 overs remaining. Nick Fielden was first out with the score on after being adjudged to be LBW for 7 runs. Any early nerves seemed to be dispelled for the home side when Graham Dill appeared to be carrying on from his excellent previous weeks form where he smashed a century against Banbury. Following a third consecutive 4 the aggressive right hander went for one too many extravagant shots and was bowled for 14. Matt Evans followed shortly after for 8 and at 30 for 3 Hemel were beginning to sense an unlikely victory however after the withdrawal of captain Duncan Howard from the attack Radlett moved into cruise control.

Radlett’s cause was helped by new boy Stephen Lowe who showed some of the class that has seen him progress to one of the best talents in Hertfordshire. The young left hander looked in mint condition as a succession of wayward bowling enabled any pressure that had been built up to quickly subside. Although Tony Picket was caught for 5 by the time of his departure Lowe had already ensured the final outcome. Lowe finished on 33 not out with Haydn Smith also weighing in with 15 not out.

Radlett travel to Henley on Saturday boosted by the return of skipper Houghton who will look to again be aggressive against a side who performed well in their first season in the HCPL but have shown signs that this year they may struggle to match last years 4th placed finish.

Stuart Browne

Radlett CC 1st XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 4 wickets
0
89
(0.0 overs)		    
Nick Fielden Lbw  7 1
Matt Evans Caught  8 1
Graham Dill Bowled  14
Tony Pickett Caught  5
Steve Lowe Not Out  33 1
Haydn Smith Not Out  14 2
Jonathan Smithers   1
Jonathan Smithers  
Robbie Crocker  
Ian 'Oz' Edwards  
Stuart Browne  

Hemel Hempstead Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Hemel Hempstead Batting
Player name Runs
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 10 wickets
0
88 (0.0 overs)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Radlett CC 1st XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Kervin Marc14.062036.671.43
Stuart Browne24.093548.751.46
Ian 'Oz' Edwards13.552337.671.66

  • Umpire :
  • Scorer :
    Doreen Browne