Dark skies signal a batting collapse for a Cobden Hill side who are searching for their first victoryOn a rain-sodden Cobden Hill pitch Radlett narrowly failed to pick up their first victory of the season on Saturday. After three days of inclement weather, it was perhaps surprising that there was a positive outcome to this match.

Having won the toss, returning skipper Matt Evans inserted the visitors, and his decision looked vindicated as opening bowlers Kervin Marc and Stuart Browne beat the bat on a consistent basis.

It was not long before Marc gained the first success. Having seen a similar chance put down at second slip, he removed both openers to smart catches behind the wicket. Firstly keeper Houghton dived low to his right to take a stunning one-handed catch and then Graham Dill pouched a sharp chance in the Gully.

Indeed, with Marc taking a further wicket immediately after Dill's catch, Basingstoke were reeling at 163. Maynard joined the redoubtable Hunter, who together took the score along to a more respectable total. However, following a change of ends, Browne had Maynard caught by Houghton.

Resuming after Lunch on 564 Stoke were once again given a stiff inspection by the returning Marc. The fast bowler accounted for three further wickets to finish with season best figures of 6 57. His final wicket brought the final partnership together with Basingstoke having just reached three figures, but, crucially, a 30 run stand ensued until broken by Oz Edwards. This final partnership meant that Radlett would need to chase a more demanding score of 130.

With ever-darkening skies, Radlett began the pursuit of their target. However, it was not long before they too experienced the problems faced in the first innings.

With Fielden departed, Radlett had reached 211 before a rain interruption looked inevitable. The dark skies clearly made a tough wicket even harder, as in a four over spell before the rain Radlett had collapsed to 225.

Following an hour's delay, Matt Cousens and David Houghton set about rebuilding the innings, which they did with patience and good shot selection.

Cousens had reached 25 before he departed to a skiddy delivery from Gouett, with Radlett still requiring a further 59. Although Marc and Houghton briefly raised the home team's hopes with some lusty blows, the early order collapse proved too great a problem to repair and Radlett were eventually all out for 111, 19 runs short of a first victory.

Radlett travel to league leaders Slough at the weekend, knowing that only a return to the impressive form shown at Banbury two weeks ago will be good enough, if they are to keep in touch with those in the top half of the table.

Radlett II enjoyed a seven-wicket victory when they travelled to Northwood on Saturday. They scored 136-3 off 33.3 overs, in reply to Northwood's 135 all out. The result leaves them top of Saracens Herts League Division Two.

Basingstoke 130 all out

Radlett 111 all out

Home Counties Premier League

June 12, 2002 13:00