Scorecard

Radlett CC 5th XI v St. Margretsbury 111 on Sat 19 May 2007 at 1.30 p.m.
Radlett CC Lost by 65 runs

Match report The return to Radlett’s beloved Queens school was lucky as the rain had lodged into the ground and refrained from draining was a scare. But with pre-inspection the ground was fit for play. The toss was quickly lost and the Margaretsbury opted for batting.

A change of opener in Radlett’s bowling could be a start of something new with Phil Simmons returning with Daniel Cohen new and both gave 29 runs in the first 10 overs. Phil found it difficult to get proper line but by the 2nd over he found the rhythm to get a lovely edge for debutant Pierro (senior Guerrini) to scoop it up at 3rd man. The breakthrough was good but a lot of cricket remained. The number 3 at the crease was in hindsight their only batsman of recognition and he capitalised in the next 35+ overs. Daniel bowled tightly and also found the rhythm in his 2nd over onwards. The fielding was tight and Mark Turpin returned to the team to don the gloves from where he left off last season. The first bowling change saw Phil take a rest and the action packed ‘big daddy of cricket’ Ron (the change bowler) Comfort. Ron with his change of pace unnerved the opposition and they could not use the pace as done before. Daniel’s first spell was containing and Chris Chittleborough was brought on another debutant. Chris also loosened up and began bowling his stuff by the 2nd over - the big break away from cricket meant he will need games to break in and show his worth. Ron had contained the batters and he was doing well. The batter in by now was grafting and also unleashing some slog shots too. Fielding positions were aggressive and constantly adjusting to the left and right handers. Chris bowled well enough but wicketless. Ron though in his 7th over let it rip and clean bowled the opener middle stump for 22. Again we were in the reckoning. The run rate was creeping up from 3 per over and more. Vikram bowled some and did not find any seaming and performed below average as the wicket did not aid. The batsman capitalised on this and pushed further the run rate. Brendan was introduced to the attack and he settled slowly on an unhelpful wicket. A couple of dropped catches too many at slip by Daniel, Luca missed a few hard chances and half chance by Simon too did not help proceedings. The left hander seemed to be having 9 lives getting away with lbw appeals and dropped catches he scratched a 50 and moved on. Brendan did ok and bowled better with his variety balls later on and contained. Ron was reintroduced to the attack and he took a wicket with the second ball with an excellent stumping by Mark. More action followed with quick fielding by Luca and 2 run outs one at the bowlers end and another similar intervention to the keepers end saw Luca in the action. The fielding was good and really put the opposition on the back foot. This was followed by a lovely catch by Luca in the midwicket area off Ron to get his 3rd wicket.
Daniel also joined the party with a slower ball to bowl the batsman. Now it looked like that they had no batsman as the shots they were playing were awful and very average. Ron again dismissed the young batter with a return catch which hasn’t been seen in 5th cricket for a while. By this time though the run rate had reached 4 an over the innings closed on 186 for 8. A good effort but somehow their only batsman got away with 85 runs too many to actually give their side a total.

Radlett opened the batting with Mike Dexter and Mark Turpin. Mike played in and saw the bowling very well. Mark was also opening up well with a couple of boundaries. 1st wicket fell at 32 and Mark was caught behind a bit too early for our liking. Chris came to the crease and with height and good footwork settled but fell too early for 8. Ron now had a task at hand needed to prove his handiness with the bat as he had shown with the ball.
He was adjudged lbw and really the middle order just collapsed like a pack of cards in slow motion. Luca failed to deliver and Brendan did not get off the mark. Vikram also failed to continue from the last match and got out for 7. Mike on the other hand was into the 40’s with clever strokeplay and forceful shots. Difference was shots were along the ground whereas the opposition had preferred the aerial route. Daniel again crumbled for no runs and now the tail was truly wagging. Phil made his batting debut with a mighty 6 off the leg spinner and shortly bowled for 7. Piero remained unbeaten for 0 and Mike was given lbw for 45. This closed both the match at 121 for 10 and Radlett’s unbeaten home record since July 2005 ended.
The batsman had got themselves out and honestly we face better bowling in the nets. The Radlett batting has to get better and really punish bad bowling, pick gaps, shot selection, protect their wicket and be run hungry too. There has to be a real sense of accumulation of runs and occupation of the crease if we are to go places this season.

The work in the field was undone with the flimsy show at the middle with bat. Also there is no shortage of talent lets see what happens many a match to play yet.

Man of the match: Ron Comfort for 4-29 off 12 overs and 2 maidens including the rare double wicket maiden.

This leaves Radlett with 4 points at 19 on the table after 2 matches and yet to record a win.

Radlett CC 5th XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 10 wickets
0
121
(0.0 overs)		    
Mike Dexter Lbw  45
Mark Turpin Caught  15 1
Chris Chittleborough Caught  8
Ronnie Comfort Lbw  0 1
Simon Watman Caught  8
Luca Guerrini Caught  5 1
Brendan Jones Bowled  0
Vikram Rajput Stumped  7
Daniel Cohen Bowled  0
Phil Simmons Bowled  7
Piero Guerrini Not Out  0 1

St. Margretsbury 111 Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

St. Margretsbury 111 Batting
Player name Runs
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 8 wickets
0
186 (0.0 overs)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Radlett CC 5th XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Phil Simmons10.0422122.002.20
Daniel Cohen7.0120120.002.86
Ronnie Comfort12.022947.252.42
Chris Chittleborough6.012400.004.00
Vikram Rajput5.004100.008.20
Brendan Jones7.013500.005.00