Famous five for Radlett

ALL five Radlett teams picked up wins on Saturday for the first time since the club entered a fifth XI in the Herts League in 2002.

With Radlett crushing Reading in the Home Counties Premier Cricket League at Cobden Hill, it was left to the Saracens Herts League sides to make it a famous day.

Radlett II went away to Cockfosters in Division Two and picked up their second win of the season with a great all round team display.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl, Radlett stuck to their task on a pitch that behaved pretty well with short straight boundaries at each end. Richard Cameron (3-37) and Heath Paynter (2-29) were the pick of the bowlers but they were all backed up by an improved fielding display where Radlett took their chances including a catch of the season contender from skipper Nick Fielden. Radlett slowed Cockfosters' run rate right down and they closed on 219-6 off 53 overs.

In reply, the newly-formed opening partnership of Jim Chaudry (29) and Cameron (34) led the way, putting on 58. David Robinson and John Barr, aged 18, continued the assault in spectacular style. Barr fired 56 and Robinson hit 61 as Radlett reached their target to secure victory on 223-6 off 46.1 overs. The team are now fifth in Division Two and they play host to Abbots Langley at Cobden Hill on Saturday.

In Division Four, Radlett III beat Bushey in remarkable circumstances at Cobden Hill by four wickets.

Chasing 224 to win, the Radlett side, beaten in their three matches this summer, were struggling at 96-5 before the amazing turnaround.

Bushey were inserted and reached 223-8 off their 53 overs. Simon Jackson (6-76 off 24 overs) and Lee Fortis each bowled superbly on a good batting wicket.

After 26 overs, the Radlett reply was floundering on 96-5. Dominic Ingram (65) started the recovery and Prabhu Aramugam batted beautifully to finish 49 not out. He was joined by Lee Fortis, who made 47 from 37 balls without giving the hint of a chance as Radlett secured the win on 224-6 off 45.2 overs. Radlett III go away to West Herts II on Saturday.

Radlett IV returned to form after losing their last two games with a strong performance away at local rivals Watford Town II.

Captain Jamie Wells won the toss for Radlett for the fourth time this season and they inserted the hosts. The introduction of bowler Zahur Gitay to the attack inspired Radlett and some miraculous catches from Neil Lederman and Chandana Meepegama plus two sharp slip catches from Wells ensured Watford were dismissed for 194 off 50 overs. Meepegama picked up 4-85 for Radlett and Gitay (2-47), Richard Hardy (2-37) and Lederman (1-14) also bowled well.

In reply, Radlett started well with an opening partnership of 110 before Hardy was out for 41. Bell continued on to make 69 and Ian 'Oz' Edwards (28 not out), Nick Tune (24) and Hanif Karachiwalla (22) contributed well as Radlett reached 198-6 to win off 45 overs.

Radlett V picked up their first Division 11 win in some style with a 97-run success at Hatfield Crusaders II, completing the club's clean sweep.

Skipper Mike Dexter hit 90 not out to set up his own declaration of 212-3 off 45 overs. Crusaders had already taken the risk of putting Radlett in to bat, and on a sound Roe Hill Hall pitch they were bowled out for 115 in reply and finished with no points at all.

Dexter looked in good form from the start, cutting and driving boundaries, and he put on 138 for the second wicket with Matt Barrett, in his last season with the club after accepting a post at Shrewsbury School. Barrett's lofted drives took him to a rapid 78 and the subsequent batsmen built on a commanding position to hustle Radlett to a good total.

Crusaders' reply collapsed quickly when Vikram Rajput (4-20) and Matt Barrett (1-28) struck early on. Keerti Sirimanne picked up two important wickets and seamer Dan Cohen and off-spinner Shameel Ahmed took their opportunities to nip out a man each. Dean Caplin clean-bowled the last man to complete the win with 8.4 overs remaining.