Haupt holds up Radlett

Banbury batsman follows up 102 with five catches

HCPL Division One

Banbury 273-8

Radlett 228-8

Match drawn

BANBURY batsman Craig Haupt played a starring role as Radlett had to settle for their second consecutive draw.

Haupt smashed 102 from number three to help the visitors recover after Radlett skipper Shane Burger had removed openers Nathan Hawkes (15) and Lloyd Sabin (8) in quick succession.

Haupt’s contribution wasn’t finished their though as he pocketed five catches in the field as Banbury restricted Radlett to 228-8 and a draw.

Burger, ably supported by Herts County man Matt Corran, was enjoying a good early spell with the ball and he then accounted for Shahbaz Ali (21) with all three of Burger’s wickets coming courtesy of neat handiwork from gloveman Tom Stewart.

The left-handed Haupt and new batsman Ian Tew (68) then enjoyed a 103-run stand for the fourth wicket which saw Haupt’s personal score reach three figures but soon after the Banbury man was heading back to the pavilion following a run out by Lloyd Paternott.

From then on wickets fell at regular intervals with Heath Paynter the man doing the damage and he finished his afternoon’s work with 4-65 as Banbury closed on 273-8 from their 66 overs.

Radlett’s reply started off in positive fashion with openers Andre Sharma and Paternott seeing off the opening attack but the introduction of spinner Luke Ryan and James Phillips soon checked the hosts’ progress.

Ryan accounted for Sharma (16) and Kabir Toor (12) while Paternott (20) was dismissed by Phillips as Radlett found themselves at 86-3.

Burger’s 50 and 47 from Fraser Crawford steadied the ship but Phillips (3-96) and Ryan (5-59) kept Banbury’s hopes of victory alive.

At eight down Radlett were forced to see out the overs which they did successfully thanks to Corran (7*) and Paynter (22*).

This Saturday Radlett host fellow Herts side Tring Park at their Cobden Hill home.