Division Four Radlett III 243-6 (50.5) Chipperfield 203-5(49.0) RADLETT III dominated a draw with visitors Chipperfield at Cobden Hill in Division Four on Saturday. The hosts finished with 15 points after a staggering innings by Lee Fortis

Division Four

Radlett III 243-6 (50.5) Chipperfield 203-5(49.0)

RADLETT III dominated a draw with visitors Chipperfield at Cobden Hill in Division Four on Saturday.

The hosts finished with 15 points after a staggering innings by Lee Fortis, who turned the game on its head with an innings of skill and power, making 82 not out from 58 balls. He hit straight and hard and clean, turning 132-6 INto 242-6, in a century partnership with captain Iain Edwards (16 not out).

After winning the toss Radlett prospered, mostly due to a belligerent 35 from the sublimely talented Sheilen Patel. Dom Ingram stuck around, but the middle order failed again and, after Ingram was out for a gritty but valuable 50, Radlett looked like failing to reach 200, which was base camp.

Then Fortis joined Iain Edwards and with a declaration they set the opposition 243 from a generous 49 overs on an easy batting wicket.

The Radlett bowlers started aggressively and Josh Rose (2-28 off 11 overs) produced his best this season as he constantly beat the bat. Fortis showed his skill and intelligence and, after having been hit off the front foot for two fours, bounced out the Chipperfield striker. At 60-3 with a quarter of the game to play, things descended into farce with the visitors refusing to go for the win. Chipperfield finished on 203-5 off 49 overs for the draw.

In Division Six, Radlett IV defeated local rivals Hatfield Crusaders by 15 runs.

Stand-in skipper Richard Hardy won the toss, making it seven out of seven for Radlett this summer, and chose to bat first. Matthew Bell (20) and Hardy (29) made important contributions along with Giles Mitchell (31). Zahur Gitay (50) and Toby Sutherland (20) then put on a fine partnership as Radlett posted 180 all out off 51.3 overs. Young duo Shameel Ahmed and Dean Caplin batted sensibly, balancing aggression and defence.

Zahur Gitay picked up 4-53 off 14 overs and Chandana Meepegama took 3-55 off 11.2 overs as Radlett dismissed the big-hitting Crusaders for 165 off 38.2 overs. Shameel with his off spin bowled well and, along with Caplin, helped improve the quality and agility in the field. The win moved Radlett up seven places from 13th to sixth in the table.

Radlett V won the toss but, after batting first, lost by six wickets at rivals Hertford IV in Division 11.

Charles Randall top scored for Radlett with 56 and Keerthi Sirimanne contributed 28 but the visitors were all out for 128.

In reply, Shabbir Foyez picked up two wickets but Hertford eased to victory on 129-4 off 38 overs.