Radlett 195-6

Watford Town 196-6

Hertfordshire Premier Division

Radlett lost their first match of the season on Saturday against local rivals Watford Town and team captain Nick Hampton admitted: "We were beaten by the better side."

The current league champions were given a stern test by a team that should be pressing for divisional honours this year.

At one point, Radlett were reeling at 97-6.

But a mixture of youth and experience nearly saved the day for the Cobden Hill side.

The increasingly impressive youngster, Nick Fielden (49), and Ian 'Oz' Edwards (51) hit an unbeaten stand of 97 to help their team reach 195 runs in 52 overs.

The half century by Edwards, one of the club's veteran performers, was his first ever in the ten years he has been with Radlett.

Openers Scott Moffatt (35) and Campbell Horlock (23) put up a useful stand of 46 to get their team off to a good start.

But the next three batsmen were kept in check by some impeccable bowling from Watford, who began the game with a 100 per cent record.

Only Dave Robinson, who was run out for 0, could point to sloppy play as the reason for his departure.

The rest of Radlett's attack had very few complaints over the way they were dismissed.

Said Hampton: "It was one of those situations where our batsmen returned to the pavilion after facing some genuinely good deliveries."

Fast bowler Stuart Browne and Edwards had the ominous task of trying to keep the run rate down.

Browne was the pick of the Radlett attack and claimed three wickets for 68 runs off 22 overs.

But Watford managed to sustain a steady flow of runs and reached 120 for the loss of four wickets.

They had opener Illott (41), James (60) and Lane (40 not out) to thank for guiding them home to victory.

Watford needed 70 runs from the remaining 11 overs but reached their target with some hefty blows.

The Radlett players could only watch in admiration as Lane steered his side home.

He smashed four sixes in two overs during a purple patch for the opposition. "We thought we were back in the game when we fought back from a desperate position," said Hampton.

"Our bowlers kept it tight and we fielded as well as we have done this season."

Radlett are in the second round of the Becker Transport Knockout Cup after beating Langleybury by 83 runs. The holders of the trophy were in sizzling form and posted an impressive target of 212 runs in 45 overs.

Dan Chippeck top scored with 70 runs, while captain for the day Campbell Horlock hit a quickfire half century on a poor wicket.

Mike Yeabsley hit 33.

Langleybury, who were knocked out of the competition by Radlett at the semi-final stage last year, were all out for 129.

And over half of those runs were scored by one player!

Kaf Jahangir (3 for 22) and Edwards (3 for 26) were the star bowlers for Radlett.

"It was a very solid and thoroughly professional performance," said skipper Nick Hampton.

But he felt sorry for the losers, who were unlucky to be paired with Radlett in the opening round of the competition. "It is a ludicrous situation that two of the top sides in this cup are forced to play eachother so early on.

"There should be some sort of seeding system."

Radlett are away to St Margaretsbury in the second round.

Three players scored half centuries as Radlett tasted defeat against Hadleigh & Thundersley in the Sunday Championship.

Dan Chippeck, Kaf Jahangir and Nick Hampton were in top form as Radlett reached 242 runs in 50 overs.

But some poor bowling followed and the opposition reached their target with one over remaining.

The Sunday Championship is being used by Radlett to introduce some promising youngsters at the club to competitive cricket.

One such starlet, Yogendra, claimed three wickets for 40 runs in the match against Hadleigh.

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