In a tight match, Radlett bowled well to restrict Kings to 81 for 5.

Matt Soffair took three wickets for eight runs in his four overs. The bowling and fielding was strong, and Marshall Cant took another two catches. Ben Davis made his debut as wicketkeeper and only allowed one bye. In reply, Radlett started briskly. Parag Shah was dismissed for 17 in the fourth over.

The scoring slowed down and Radlett could not quite get up to the required rate, falling short by five runs, leaving them to regret a missed opportunity.

Radlett U13s 76-9

Kings Langley 81-5

***

Radlett started well with Kailash Morjaria and Morgan Stanley both retiring undefeated on 26.

Nikhil Sharma and Matt Roy also chipped in with some runs, but Radlett could not push on and were restricted to 80 runs. In reply, Abbotts Langley lost early wickets, with John Mansell taking two. They recovered from 29 for 6 until Kailash took three for seven at the end. Rory Faraday made his Radlett debut.

Radlett U12s 80-6

Abbotts Langley 64-9

***

Radlett gained an exciting victory, fighting well to restrict Tring. Radlett started well, with Kailash Morjaria and Matt Roy scoring steadily. But soon the Cobden Hill side collapsed, and the next pair lost four wickets. The match stabilized with Daram Kotecha and Matt Soffair achieving a last pair stand of 21 runs.

In reply, Tring's second pair also wobbled. Matt Soffair took three wickets in the seventh over.

In a nail-biting final over, Tring needed eight to win. A great stop by Duncan Sills, on his debut, stopped a four and Baiju Ganatra managed to restrict Tring to just four singles. Radlett held on to a three-run victory.

Radlett U12s 239-4

Tring 236-5

***

Radlett produced one of their best batting displays against a strong Hemel bowling attack.

Morgan Stanley was hit in his stomach early on, but batted on bravely for 21 runs. Nikhil Sharma's glorious hook shot for four was the shot of the innings. Matt Soffair (9) and Matt Roy (13) kept the momentum going and 91 runs should have been a winning score.

Radlett bowled well and took three early wickets. However, the fielding was weak, and any loose balls were punished. Hemel reached their target in the 19th over with four byes in the final six balls. Despite the defeat, Radlett showed excellent spirit and are a force to be reckoned with in this league.

Radlett U12s 91-9

Hemel B 92-6

***

Radlett were pleased to host the first stage of the national schools Kwik cricket Competition for U11s last Monday.

The teams comprised of four boys and four girls. On a glorious afternoon there were several hefty blows, and a lot of talented players on show. Each team played three matches. Bushey Manor and Newberries School, Radlett, both won their initial matches, and had an exciting final match. Bushey Manor just pipped Newberries in the last tense over, to qualify for the next round at Shenley today.

July 3, 2002 14:30