Defeat to Radlett condemns Letchworth to play-offs

Kabir Toor bats for Radlett. Photo: Harry Hubbard (Image: Archant)

Letchworth crashed to a fourth straight defeat in the Herts Premier League at the hands of champions-elect Radlett.

The 73-run loss confirms that the Garden City will finish ninth and face a relegation play-off game against either Botany Bay or Totteridge Millhillians.

Against Radlett, Richard Barclay’s side began well as he dismissed Fraser Crawford in his second over. Dan Munson picked up two wickets and when Dom Simmons had Kabir Toor caught at fine leg Radlett were in trouble at 85-4.

Shane Burger and Will Wright restored some order with a stand of 69 that left the game well poised at 154-5. Burger (64) combined with the lower order for some late hitting though that took the visitors to 243-8 from their 50 overs.

Shane Burger with his mother Elsare. Shane has played for Radlett for 12 years and is going to be a head coach in South Africa for KZN-INLAND (Image: Archant)

Letchworth’s reply was quickly in disarray at 19-3 and with Adam Winchester retired hurt after a blow to the hand.

Will Aitkenhead (33) and Munson (36) put on a partnership of 63, but when they were both out in quick succession things slid downhill.

Winchester (26), together with Barclay (28), kept up the fight but it was too difficult an assignment as Letchworth were all out for 170.

The defeat was to prove the only one of the day for the club as all four other teams were victorious.

The 2nds plucked a one-wicket victory from the jaws of defeat against Sawbridgeworth 2nds to keep up their slim hopes of promotion. Letchworth kept the opposition to 216 with Liam Bishton taking 3-42.

Russell Hann (22) and stand-in captain Matt Bridge (23) got the chase off to a good start before a collapse saw them reach 131-7.

Adam Jenkins (53no) and Harry Aitkenhead (22) put on 50 for the eighth wicket before Jenkins eventually settled a see-saw encounter with three balls to spare.

The 3rds sealed promotion with a five-wicket win over Old Camdenians. They dismissed Camdenians for 184 but their reply got off to a disastrous start and at one point were on 3-2.

Matt Gilbert (75) took the attack to the bowlers, and helped by Pranav Tari (66no) and Jerry Dovey (37) sealed the win with plenty of overs to spare.

The 4ths continued their great escape in Division 8B with a 44-run win over Bayford and Hertford 2nds.

Paul Hubbard (35) plus father and son duo Mike (47) and Steve Hughes (65) helped steer them to 205-9.

Bayford and Hertford’s reply never got off the ground as they struggled against Letchworth’s tidy seam attack. Steve Lubbe took 3-27 to restrict the opposition to 161-7.

The 5ths kept up their charge for promotion by beating Potters Bar 4ths. They compiled 192-7 before Matt Clark and Shaun Denman (2-26) reduced Bar’s top order to 21-4. Clark took two wickets and conceded just one run in five overs.

Ira Johal (3-20) and Pond (2-9) finished the job and they remain third with one game left.