HCPL Division One Radlett 227-5 (51) Slough 173-6 (42) SIMON RANDALL became only the second Radlett first team player to fire a century on debut in more than 30 years with a scintillating display against Slough at Cobden Hill on Saturday.

HCPL Division One

Radlett 227-5 (51) Slough 173-6 (42)

SIMON RANDALL became only the second Radlett first team player to fire a century on debut in more than 30 years with a scintillating display against Slough at Cobden Hill on Saturday.

The sensational knock from Randall, son of former Herts Advertiser Sports Editor Charles, guided Radlett to 227-5 from their reduced 51 over allocation after a morning thunderstorm threatened to wash out the contest.

Radlett were inserted and Randall stepped up to the firsts as opener alongside young prospect Kabir Toor. The Cobden Hill outfit were missing prolific run scorer Gareth Berg due to a side strain.

Slough may have expected to get something out of the wicket in the conditions but Middlesex player Toor, aged 18, showed his class and Randall, aged 26, was composed and calm in support.

Toor reached his 50 in the 20th over with Radlett on 71-0 and the opening pair went on to post 110 before Toor eventually for a well crafted 78. The dismissal only succeeded in inspiring Randall who stepped up the pace, putting away the bad balls with regularity and confidently opposing the good bowling from one end. Steve Lowe (9) and Shane Burger (22) came and went as Radlett reached 200 with the returning Felix Walker alongside Randall, now on 89.

With a debut century looming, Randall showed all the confidence and composure of a first team regular and reached the milestone in the 49th over.

Walker departed after a small cameo and Randall eventually fell for 106 struck out off the last ball of the innings. Radlett closed on 227-5 a formidable total with the brilliant Randall leading the way.

In reply, Slough had to contend with Stuart Browne who was stepping back into the first team picture at Radlett after recently playing for the Twos.

Browne proved too hot for Slough to handle as he snaffled 5-32 off his 15 overs but Radlett were missing the threat of key bowlers Robbie Crocker and Atul Sachdeva. Only Paul Barker was able to contribute another wicket, bowling the Slough number one bat Fahum Quereshi for 46.

Slough fought hard and after danger-man Zaheer Sher was bowled by Browne for 32, Nilander Cooray (33 not out) guided them to safety on 173-6 off their 42 overs.

The previous Radlett debut centurion was Ian Hutchison in 1992 with 178 at Barnet.

In Division Two of the Saracens Herts League, Radlett II had to settle for a draw against hosts Luton Town & Indians.

Radlett won the toss and inserted the Luton side but were unable to take the wickets they had hoped for and the hosts posted 222-3 off 52 overs. In reply, Radlett batted out for the draw on 186-7 off 46 overs.

Radlett III lost momentum with a defeat at County Hall in Division Four on Saturday.

With a wet pitch and a short boundary skipper Iain 'Eddo' Edwards won the toss and opted to bat.

Dominic Ingram and Mark Gray got stuck and pushed the score up slowly due to some tight bowling and tight fielding.

Zahur 'Zed' Gitay (33 in 35 balls) and Ingram (32 in 110 balls) top scored in their differing styles and Simon Gray struck the ball around well but could never get away from the tight lines the CH bowlers bowled.

Hasit Mehta hit seven not out in his only four balls faced and Radlett posted 147-9 in difficult conditions on a slow pitch.

In reply, Gitay bowled five maidens in a row and Hasit had them playing and missing but CH kept up a good rate and were slowly getting on top. When Stevenson and Schlaefer put on 81 for the third wicket it looked all over and despite the fact that CH won in the 46th over, they were in control from over 25 onwards.

Neel Malde, who got a jaffa, fielded well and looks as though he could cement a place and Hasit (2-70 off 20 overs) continued his rapid improvements.

In Division Six Radlett VI hosted Totteridge Milhillians III and claimed a dramatic one wicket win.

Jamie Wells won the toss to make it 11 out of 11 and decided to bowl first on a fairly damp wicket. It was a slow start and wickets looked to be in short supply, the first falling in the 17th over and the second in the 38th.

Some determination and application from Richard Hardy and Neil Lederman who each took three wickets turned things around and Totteridge declared on 213-7, not knowing that Radlett IV bat right down the order.

Wickets came thick and fast for TMs and Radlett were 107-7 after 27 overs before Tony Johnson (41) and young wicket keeper Ben Charles (37) soon frustrated TM with some superb batting.

At 168-8, Wells made the decision to bring on Lederman to smash it about a bit and he did not disappoint. Lederman (23 not out) and Shameel Ahmed (7 not out) batted very well and with two balls to go Leds hit the winning run to complete a sensational run chase with Radlett on 214-9 off 50.4 overs.

Radlett V hosted Frogmore in Division 11 and after winning the toss quickly saw their plan of attack unravel.

Frogmore posted 224-3 off 47 overs with opener Baskett firing 76 not out and Albon (31), Fraser (40) and Andrews (24) all contributing. In reply, Shabbir Foyez scored 51 for Radlett and Matt Barrett hit 33 to add to his two wickets earlier but Radlett were all out for 141.