Division 11 Radlett V 216-9 (46.4) Reed III 159-10 (33.5) RADLETT V produced their fourth victory in five Division 11 games to sink promotion candidates Reed III at the pleasant village ground of Therfield on Saturday.Their 57-run win was well deserved

Division 11

Radlett V 216-9 (46.4) Reed III 159-10 (33.5)

RADLETT V produced their fourth victory in five Division 11 games to sink promotion candidates Reed III at the pleasant village ground of Therfield on Saturday.

Their 57-run win was well deserved and more crushing than the scores might suggest after Andy Griffiths had set up the launch pad with a sparkling 76. The final fanfare came with more than nine overs to spare.

Reed, based near Royston, were strong enough to have surprised a few Division Six clubs on their day, yet they were well beaten.

Their ninth wicket fell with more than 15 overs remaining, and there were plenty of dropped catches, missed run-outs and scares to follow. Eventually John Mansell finished the game by nicking the leg bail in his first over back, having started the match by nicking the off bail with his first ball, a fantastic delivery that swung and seamed.

Reed admitted they would have bowled first in the heat if they had won the toss, and events showed that would have been a mistake. Once Mike Dexter and Shabbir Foyez had put on 52 for the first wicket and Griffiths had established himself, the home side were never in the game.

Mayur Hindocha and Hemal Malde provided perfect support, and Matt Barret kept up the momentum for a formidable score of 216-9 off 46.4 overs on a tricky pitch and large outfield.

Reed found themselves under pressure from the moment Mansell struck with his 'miracle' ball, and even Michael Robertson, Reed's classy left-hander returning from a horrendous collarbone injury, became frustrated after driving the sweetest of early sixes off Mansell.

Mansell gained his revenge with a swinging full toss, and Reed were left with little hope as Vikram Rajput, Pete Wharton and Matt Barrett, in off-spin mode, worked their way through the wickets. Foyez, standing in as wicketkeeper, held two excellent catches, and Reed were all out for 159.

Memories of Pink Floyd came rushing back for Andy Griffiths when he turned out for Radlett V against Reed III.

Griffiths slammed 76 at Therfield, the village near Royston where his uncle Rick Wright used to own a mansion at the height of his fame as Pink Floyd's keyboard player.

The Griffiths family used to stay at the Pink Floyd mansion regularly in Andy's childhood.