Radlett keep unbeaten run intact in remarkable conclusion against Bishop’s Stortford

Radlett Cricket Club’s unbeaten run continued – but only just and in extraordinary circumstances.

Having seen visitors Bishop’s Stortford get to 222 all-out, Radlett’s reply was already in trouble with captain Kabir Toor away to hospital for treatment on a cracked finger, picked up in the penultimate over of the Stortford innings.

In his absence Radlett had slumped to 95-8, with just the partnership of Matt Creese and Ben Lederman remaining.

The pair though produced a stunning backs-to-the-wall stand, lasting well over 20 overs.

Lederman put on 19 from 69 balls and Creese 43 from 132 deliveries but when he was trapped lbw, the players began to troop off thinking that was the end.

Amazingly though Toor had returned from Watford Hospital mere moments before and he managed to see out the remaining three overs for an unlikely draw.

Radlett had actually started the match brightly with the ball.

Paceman Randeep Sanghera had Harry Ramsden caught at second slip off the first ball of the day, and he then slipped a lovely seamer through the defence of the free-scoring Eddie Ballard.

That left Stortford at 22-2 but a watchful 105 from Herts left-hander Reece Hussain, helped them to their 222 all-out total.

Sanghera finished on 2-54 but it was Fakir Dungaria’s 5-32 with his left-arm spin that stood out.

And even on a pitch that was becoming increasingly responsive, the target looked well within Radlett’s reach.

In-form Fraser Crawford was beaten and bowled for 21 by the left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann, who followed that with the prize wicket of Joe Cooke, caught and bowled driving.

From 50-2 Radlett slid to 95-8 as the medium pacer Chris Thomas sliced through the middle order.

But Stortford will be left thinking of what might have been after the remarkable conclusion.