Banbury 176-4

Radlett 172

ECB Home Counties Premier

The men from Cobden Hill must be scratching their heads at the moment as they try to work why out their season has more ups and downs than a rollercoaster ride.

After romping to victory over old Herts League rivals Luton Town, Radlett's away day to second-placed Banbury last weekend finished in defeat.

The outcome of this game has put another dent into Radlett's hopes of a top three finish in the inaugural season of the Home Counties Premiership.

Yet the Herts side had gone into this game on an optimistic note, with Aussie Warren Jeffries promoted to open the batting, replacing injured Nick Fielden. Radlett also recalled Nick Hampton and Kaf Jahangir to bolster the middle order.

Skipper Scott Moffat won the toss at Banbury's new White Post Road ground and elected to bat first. The pitch provided plenty of assistance for the hosts' aggressive new ball bowlers, but Matt Evans and Jeffries weathered the storm to make a solid start for the visitors.

Unfortunately, Radlett's decent opening drive hit the skids when Evans top-edged an attempted hook and was caught for 14. Their woes were compounded with the introduction of Banbury's ex-England paceman Neal Radford, who rapidly removed Moffat and Jahangir.

These two were quickly followed by Jeffries being run out and Hampton lbw. Radford's actions left Radlett reeling on 63-5.

However, young all-rounder Matt Cousens and old warhorse Dan Chippeck teamed up to post a valiant 49 either side of lunch in the face of some fine bowling from the hosts. Cousens was caught behind and he was replaced by Ian Edwards. Together with Chippeck, now finding his touch, this duo fought back for Radlett.

When Edwards was bowled for 14 it was left to his replacement Darren Norman to provide some stout resistance against Banbury.

He did just this and enabled Chippeck to complete his first half-century of the league season in a marathon three-hour stint at the crease.

After plucky Norman fell lbw to an unplayable shooter, Chippeck was last man out for a brave 56, giving Radlett a defendable total of 172.

The men from the hill launched into bowling action with left arm pace ace Norman making an immediate breakthrough, as he induced an edge from Sabin, which Moffat calmly scooped up at second slip.

Norman went on to blitz Banbury's top order, but Haupt led the home side to 80-1 at tea.

After the break Radlett showed spirit as they pegged the hosts back to 110-4, with Norman and Browne combining well.

Yet they were unable to dislodge Haupt, who saw his side home to a comfortable six-wicket win at the end of the day.

A disappointed Scott Moffat said after the game: 'We were all fired up for this one but things did not quite go our way, which happens sometimes.

'But our fightback from a difficult situation was particularly bold, and our willingness and capability to compete with one of the top teams is also a source of encouragement for the last five games of the season.'