Radlett return to winning ways

8/22/2009

Radlett secured 25 points after another HCPCL Division One batting record was broken at Cobden Hill, this time by openers Kabir Toor and Leo Sandino-Taylor.

Oxford won the toss and decided to bat first, therefore skipper Harrison could only blame himself when he edged Shane Burger through to the Tom Jenkins to put Oxford on the back foot in the third over. Sandbach consolidated with Sharma, but Sandino-Taylor managed to burgle Sandbach out first ball when Jenkins expertly stumped the tall opener with the first ball of his spell. The wicket seemed to be evenly paced and was neither hugely receptive to spin or seam, Burger rang the changes throughout the Oxford innings with varying levels of success but despite good commitment from the bowlers their team mates let them down with a poor display of fielding. Several chances were missed and perhaps 30 or 40 more runs were conceded by Radlett due to a lack of concentration and commitment. It seemed that despite bouncing back well from the High Wycombe defeat with a win in the County Cup Semi, Radlett’s 1st team had continued to go through the motions as the league season draws to a close. 261 was a lot more than Radlett should have allowed Oxford to score and with only 54 overs to chase against an experienced attack Radlett had an uphill battle to win.

Enter Toor and Sandino-Taylor who teamed up to produce one of the great opening partnerships ever seen at Cobden Hill. Both players held back on their naturally attacking instincts to see off the new ball with the aim of keeping wickets in hand throughout the innings. This plan was executed to perfection. Despite their obvious watchfulness against the swinging new ball they brought up their 50 partnership inside 8 overs. The 100 was up before the 20th and at tea Radlett were 132-0 from 27 overs. Exactly halfway at the halfway stage. The strokemakers had not finished there though. The 150 came up soon after tea as the pair continued where they left off and before Oxford had a chance to react Toor had brought up a wonderful 1st HCPCL century and as a pair the boys had put 200 on the board. The visitors were running out of ideas and could not stop the runs flowing from either of the lads bats. Steadily the pair ate away at the Oxford total. The score had reached 222 when the partnership finally ended as Toor edged Ferraby through to the keeper. The partnership was a new club league record and proved once again what a fine wicket Cobden Hill houses, credit must go to Nick Searle who throughout this season has produced ‘roads’ week after week. With 40 needed from 8 overs there was still a job to do and Radlett made a slight meal over what should have been a pretty simple chase. Firstly, promoted to No.3, Paul Barker was caught napping at the non-strikers end and failed to beat a throw from mid-wicket. Taylor chipped to long-off for a superbly executed 96 and then Jenkins and Fakir Dungaria succumbed to the pressure and were dismissed playing across-the-line. Fortunately Burger and Andre Sharma kept cool heads to see Radlett home with three balls to spare.