RADLETT'S poor run of form in the league continued as they were thoroughly outclassed by second-placed Slough in a one-sided contest at Cobden Hill on Saturday, August 17.

With the weather hot and humid, Radlett should have held the advantage after winning the toss and opting to bat, but, with Nick Fielden unavailable and a number of key batsmen held up on their way to the ground, a restructuring of the batting line-up put the Cobden Hill outfit on the back foot before the match had even started.

Jim Chaudry was promoted to opener, but was quickly on his way back to the pavilion after Steve Naylor pitched a poor ball half-way down the track and outside off-stump which Chaudry spooned to Kakar at cover point.

Jon Freedman did little better when bowled by Russell Lane for a duck, and Graham Dill and Dave Houghton soon followed after Naylor snared them both to fine catches in the gully.

When youngsters James Lewis and Robbie Crocker were undone by Lane's short-pitch bowling, the home side had just 44 runs on the board, although Matt Evans (26) and Kervin Marc (14) brought some respectability with the best partnership of the match.

But when Marc was harshly adjudged to be lbw, the procession of wickets continued until Stuart Browne was last out giving Lane his seventh wicket.

Such was the inadequacy of Radlett's batting performance, there was even time for Slough to face two overs in reply before the lunch break.

The visitors did receive a scare when Radlett thought they had Lane superbly caught behind the wicket by Neil McEwan, however both umpire and batsman remained unmoved despite the loud appeal.

Radlett did pick up two points they scarcely deserved with Browne bowled Lane and had Khan caught at slip by Houghton, but Slough were never in danger, and cruised to a comfortable eight wicket win.

August 23, 2002 12:00