Radlett won this close-fought match by two wickets, owing a huge debt of gratitude to Zahur Gitay who excelled with both bat and ball.

Datchworth won the toss and batted using up all but four balls of their 53-over allocation in making 146 hardly a match-winning total. But it proved nearly to be so. And it might have been more, but for Gitay's four for 31 off 21 overs, which was fine example of economical and incisive bowling.

When Radlett's reply was stuttering on 83 for five, it was Gitay who came in and immediately batted with measured aggression to make 51 out of 62 runs scored while he was at the wicket.

Wicket-keeper Tim Smithers was the only other significant contributor with 29. Stringer taking four for 52 for Datchworth to keep them in the game.

This was a good win from an ordinary performance from Radlett, and it will keep them in the top quarter of the division and still in with a shout for the promotion places.

Choosing man-of-the-match, however, was never easier.

Radlett Threes 147-8

Datchworth 146-10

Saracens Herts League

Division Five

June 19, 2002 13:00