RADLETT CRICKET CLUB'S poor run of form in the HCPL continued as they were thoroughly outclassed by second-placed Slough in a one-sided contest at Cobden Hill which saw only two Radlett players reach double figures.

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 batting restructure 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 bowl 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 with Graham Dill and Dave Houghton both following 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 score 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 although the visitors did receive a scare when Radlett believed to have had Lane superbly caught behind the wicket by Neil McEwan however both umpire and batsman remained unmoved despite the loud appeal from the visitors.

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

However, Radlett were dealt a double blow when skipper Matt Evans was injured in a Chess Valley fixture on Sunday putting him in doubt for the crucial relegation battle at Finchampstead on Saturday.

Radlett travel to Finch last season's champions safe in the knowledge that as long as they get the same or more points than the current league champions then Premier League cricket will remain at Cobden Hill for a further season.

August 22, 2002 17:00