Radlett confirmed their title credentials with an opening day thrashing of Sawbridgeworth.

Last season Jonathan McLean’s side crushed teams by setting monumental totals before unleashing their bowling attack. Saturday was no different.

Sawbridgeworth handed the initiative to Radlett by asking them to bat first after winning the toss and the openers, Fraser Crawford and Kabir Toor, went to work.

The pair put on a 39-run first wicket stand before Toor was trapped LBW by Andrew McGarry for 26, which included five boudaries.

His replacement, McLean, lasted just two balls and failed to score before becoming McGarry’s second victim.

At 39-2 Radlett were seemingly in trouble but with Crawford and Shane Burger at the crease, they had no reason to worry.

The duo found gaps in the field on their way to a partnership of 168 for the third wicket. Burger was the man to go, stumped by Alex Axon after a run-a-ball 77, which included eight fours and two sixes.

Crawford batted on and eventually followed Burger to the pavilion but he had already put Radlett on their way to victory with 127 runs from 106 balls. His innings included 19 boundaries.

Radlett were 246-4 but the depth of batting shone through as Chad Barrett (26*) and Rob Clements (39*) saw the innings finish at 314-5.

Defending an imposing total, Barrett and new signing Randeep Sanghera opened the bowling. Sanghera did not take a wicket but he only surrendered six runs in five overs, including two maidens.

Barrett (1-19) dismissed opener Danny Wilson (8) and Sawbridgeworth were put in further trouble when Charlie Rudkin (4) had to retire with an injury.

Radlett did not let up and Stuart Browne (2-35) had Axon (6) caught behind before trapping Robert Sanders (17) LBW.

Chris Bird (29) and Charlie Mann (17) crept the score up to 89 but four wickets for four runs followed as Sawbridgeworth slumped to 93-7.

Toor took the first of the four, bowling Bird, before Burger ran out Kieran Morgan (1). Clements dismissed Andrew Foster (0) and Mann before adding the final two wickets to complete a four wicket haul.