All-rounder condemns Radlett to defeat

HCPL Division One

Radlett 199 Tring Park 202-3

Tring Park won by seven wickets

RADLETT suffered their first defeat of the season as a Keith Dutch inspired Tring Park left Cobden Hill with maximum points.

Former Middlesex and Surrey man Dutch derailed the Radlett innings after openers Andre Sharma and Lloyd Paternott had put on 99 for the first wicket.

Dutch removed Paternott (56) to break that partnership before Sam Cherry dismissed Heath Paynter (13) both taken by catches from Leigh Tomlinson.

A mini-revival ensued between Sharma and Toor who put on 27 for the third wicket but the quickfire dismissals of Sharma (44), Burger (0) and Dill (0) – the latter two in successive balls - saw Radlett fall from 142-3 to 145-5.

Toor continued to plug away at one end before falling for 48 as Dutch ripped through the Radlett batting line-up to finish with 8-70. Cherry played the supporting role well taking 3-51 as Radlett were skittled out for 199.

That was always going to be a difficult target to defend with Peter Handscomb appearing to be eager for an early finish. The opener smashed 61 from just 45 balls including 11 4s and two 6s before he was run out by Paternott. Handscomb’s opening partner Tomlinson was soon back in the pavilion too having made 18 but from then on Radlett struggled to make a breakthrough.

Dutch continued his Man of the Match performance with a half century and despite the dismissal of Payne, lbw to Toor for 33, Tring eased across the line with plenty to spare. Dutch finished with 66* with Sam Cherry (18*) alongside him at the end.

The defeat leaves Radlett third from bottom in the HCPL Division One table with a trip to local rivals Harpenden awaiting this weekend.