The focus of the Watford Observer Fourteen14 cricket competitions switches to the Plate for the next two evenings after Radlett’s reign as Shield holders was ended by Leverstock Green A last week.

Green’s B side will bid to emulate the achievements of their club-mates and reach a final this evening, but to do so they will have to beat holders and Plate winners for three of the last four years Watford Grammar School for Boys.

Their rearranged semi-final takes place at Chipperfield Clarendon after it was rained off last Tuesday.

The second last-four clash in the Plate is due to be played at Abbots Langley tomorrow evening when Aldenham School will face a Bushey side that convincingly defeated Met Police Bushey by ten wickets last week.

Having restricted Met Police to 94-9 off their 14, eight-ball overs with Farooq Hameed claiming an impressive 5-15, Bushey cantered to the target in nine overs as Michael Foley hit an unbeaten 57.

Radlett had been seeking an unprecedented third consecutive triumph in the Shield but their grip on the trophy was relinquished on an inconsistent wicket at Watford Town which neither side was happy with.

The holders also had the worst of the weather and at one stage had to come off for rain as they struggled to a disappointing 88-7 from their allotted overs as Adam Thomas (3-17) and Imran Iqbal (3-32) took the bulk of the wickets.

Conditions brightened for Green’s reply and the outcome was never really in doubt after Sol Tomlinson (20 not out) and Lewis Koch (17) had put on 65 for the first wicket; the latter perishing to a fine Dan Foster catch.

Green will now meet the winners of Friday’s rearranged second semi-final between West Herts and Northchurch after they convincingly overcame Kings Langley by nine wickets.

Shane Wineti was the stand-out performer with both ball and bat, first taking 3-23 as Kings made 127-8 and then hitting an unbeaten 69 after featuring in a first-wicket partnership of 87 with Tom Vila (44).

Friday’s semi-final will also be hosted by Abbots Langley, while the Shield final has been rearranged for next Monday at Chipperfield Clarendon. The conclusion to the Plate is due to be staged the following evening at Met Police Bushey.