Scorecard

Knebworth Park v Radlett CC 1st XI on Sat 02 Sep 2006 at 11:00
Radlett CC Won 157 runs

Match report Radlett dismantled Knebworth Park on their own ground to record their 11th win of the Home Counties Premier League season in comprehensive fashion, and in so doing taking a big step towards winning Division 2 (east). Heavy midweek rain and persistent morning drizzle led to a delayed start, and when the covers were removed under leaden skies they revealed a well grassed pitch that was tailor made for seam bowling. Knebworth skipper Ryan Skeggs won the toss and had no hesitation in sending Radlett in to bat first, and openers Nick Fielden and Graham Dill were made to fight hard for survival in the early going , notably by Knebworth's Australian quickie Anthony Pratt. The first wicket fell in somewhat unexpected fashion, as Dill, momentarily forgetting the old cricketing cliche of never run on a misfield, was run out after being sent back seeking a single as mid off fumbled. The evergreen David Robinson, returning to the first team fold after a 4 year absence, was thrown into battle at number 3 and he was somewhat unfortunate to be adjudged caught behind off Pratt aiming to drive through the covers. At 17-2, Radlett were in trouble, skipper Dan Chippeck joined Fielden and they took the score along at a brisk pace to 54 before Chippeck edged Pratt to slip. Fielden, however, was digging in for the long haul, and after riding his luck early on with several edged boundaries, he settled in to play an innings of authority. Either side of lunch, he added 52 with Shane Burger, who made an enterprising 27 before being adjudged run out by Tony Skeggs' direct hit from mid wicket.

At 105-4, the innings was in the balance, but Fielden was joined by Steve Lowe and the left handed pair combined for the defining partnership of the match. Lowe took his time to settle before unleashing his full repertoire, notably some fierce driving through and over the offside, some gloriously timed strokes through mid wicket, and the odd delicate sweep shot off the spinner Fisher. Fielden meanwhile played in steady fashion to reach his second fifty of the season against Knebworth, before he too accelerated as Radlett pushed on looking for an early declaration. The ball was flying to all parts of the picturesque ground as Lowe and Fielden added 126, a Radlett record for the 5th wicket in HCPL cricket, before Fielden skied to cover for a superb 90 with the score on 231. Three wickets fell quickly thereafter as Gray, Choksi and Crocker all sacrificed themselves in the pursuit of quick runs, Lowe finishing on 75 not out when Radlett declared their innings closed in the 50th over of their 55 over allocation.

Having seen Knebworth's spinner find some turn and bounce, Chippeck elected to use the old ball and open the bowling with Robbie Crocker's off spin in combination with the medium pace of leading wicket taker Stuart Browne. The move paid dividends in the second over when Knebworth's leading batsman David Lowe was bowled by Crocker immediately after smiting a huge 6 over long off. It was a classical off spinner’s dismissal: the batsman lured down the pitch with flight and the ball drifting away from the right hander before pitching and turning through the gate to hit the top of off stump. Browne then went to work on the Knebworth top order, as he also found conditions to his liking. Holmes fell plumb lbw, Jenkins was caught smartly by Choksi at short leg, Simpson also trapped lbw, and Pratt caught off a skied leading edge by Robinson at mid on, all victims of Browne, to leave the innings in tatters at 34-5.

Tony Skeggs joined brother Ryan as they sought to rebuild and they took the score to 67 before on the stroke of tea, Browne struck again as Tony Skeggs gloved a ball that leapt off a good length and was superbly caught at silly point by Fielden diving full length to snare the catch left handed inches from the ground. After the interval, and with rain threatening, Browne and Crocker again went to work, and the innings and match was wrapped up inside 4 overs, Crocker claiming the big wicket of Ryan Skeggs to a superb reaction catch again at silly point by Fielden to finish with 2-25. Browne polished off the final 3 wickets thanks to a fine low gully catch by Hegarty and a smart stumping by Lowe, to finish with career best figures of 8-25 off 12 overs, taking him to a club record of 47 wickets in an HCPL season with one fixture to go, and sealing a 157 run victory for the league leaders.

Radlett skipper Dan Chippeck commented: " After last weeks washout at Sawbridgeworth we were concerned that we would be scuppered by inclement weather again, but when we got out there the team displayed a hunger and desire for success that led to a thorough all round performance and a well deserved victory. It was good to see Nick Fielden and Steve Lowe amongst the runs as both have worked hard at their games through the season and were rewarded on this occasion, given the conditions it was a magnificent partnership. Stuart Browne performed to his own exemplary standards, but nonetheless 8 wicket hauls in this league are rare events and it was yet another superb spell of bowling, and with Robbie Crocker doing a fine job at the other end there was never any respite for the batsmen, especially when the close catching was at the standard to match"

With one game remaining Radlett are 18 points clear now at the top of HCPL Division 2 East, Stevenage having moved into second place after defeating Potters Bar, whilst Welwyn Garden City slipped to third place after a 5 run defeat at the hands of Sawbridgeworth. On Saturday, Radlett travel to Welwyn Garden City seeking to wrap up the league title.

Radlett CC 1st XI Batting
Player Name RunsMB4s6sSRCtStRo
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 8 wickets
0
234		     
Nick Fielden Caught  90 2
Graham Dill Run out  3
David Robinson Caught  0 1
Dan Chippeck Caught  14
Shane Burger Run out  27
Steve Lowe Not Out  75 1
Simon Gray Bowled  0
Mitz Choksi Lbw  0 1
Robbie Crocker Bowled  0
David Hegarty   1
Stuart Browne  

Knebworth Park Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.

Knebworth Park Batting
Player name RMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 10 wickets
0
77 (0.0 overs)		     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Radlett CC 1st XI Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Stuart Browne11.152583.132.24
Robbie Crocker9.0325212.502.78
Shane Burger2.001300.006.50

  • Umpire :
  • Scorer :
    Doreen Browne