Scorecard

Hexton v Radlett CC 3rd XI on Sat 23 Aug 2003 at 1:00
Radlett CC Won 9 wickets

Match report Here was a game where both sides, for opposing reasons, needed badly to win. Hexton, being newly promoted have had a shocker of a season, mostly due to movement of players to other clubs. Fair enough, their facilities date back to the pre-Thomas Crapper era, but good times are around the corner. They needed to win to stay in this division.

In total contrast, Radlett have facilities to die for, and were chasing much-needed and still possible promotion.

On a warm day with a flat, low wicket to cope with, Ingram, Radlett’s stand-in captain, won the toss and elected to bowl, which would have been the decision made by Harvey, the home side’s skipper.

From the off, Heath Paynter, Radlett’s Zimbabwean opening bowler, performed immaculately. It was impossible to take him off, so likely was he to take a wicket at any time. It’s difficult enough to take the ball from him at any time. His opening partner was Oliver Robertson, who again bowled extremely well, but at the wrong batters, and his figures belie how well he bowled.

Radlett took wickets every time Hexton looked like recovering, with Carpenter taking three important wickets, and the combative Mark Evans getting in on the act with a wicket from his first ball.

Hexton, though enthusiastic, were hesitant and thin on confidence, whereas Radlett exuded poise and assurance in comparison, and were thoroughly competent in demolishing Hexton for 101 in 39 overs, with Paynter returning 6-32, only the second five or more wicket haul of the season for Radlett 3rds, the other also from Paynter.

When it came to getting the 102 required to win in 61 overs, Radlett were mindful not only of the difficult nature of the wicket, the ball keeping low, and shooters frequent, but also the spectacular collapses they have manufactured. Against Hexton two years ago we managed, chasing 179 to win, to reach 177 for 6, and yet actually lose the game.

Hexton bowled and fielded well, and it took a determined and disciplined performance from the Radlett batsmen. This was delivered by Johnson, Ingram and Clark, and they delivered a watchful but handsome nine-wicket victory, using fully 33 overs to get there. Batting was not easy, and the Hexton fielding was tenacious, so this was an excellent batting performance.

The result probably consigns Hexton to division six next year, which could be a blessing, and give them a chance to regroup while their plans for expansion go ahead. For Radlett, the bad news is that all five teams above them also won, so they have made no progress towards promotion, and with two games to go, even if Radlett win them both, it may still not be enough.

But let that not detract from an excellent victory for Radlett, their first, incidentally, for seven weeks. Captaining this buoyant side for the last two games has been a privilege and deeply enjoyable, so many thanks for all your help and advice over the last couple of games.



Radlett CC 3rd XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 1 wickets
0
105
(0.0 overs)		    
Tony Johnson Caught  13
Dominic Ingram Not Out  34 2
Michael Clark Not Out  45
Colin Warne   2
Zahur Gitay  
Matt Barrett  
Prabhu Arumugam  
Colin Warne  
Heath Paynter  
Oliver Robertson  
Ross Carpenter  

Hexton Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Hexton Batting
Player name Runs
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 10 wickets
0
101 (0.0 overs)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Radlett CC 3rd XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Heath Paynter19.373265.331.64
Oliver Robertson9.033800.004.22
Ross Carpenter8.032939.673.63
Mark Evans2.01111.000.50

  • Umpire :
    M Bird
  • Scorer :