Hertford 1st XI Hang on to Secure Hard-Fought Draw

Off the back of a comfortable away win against North Mymms in the last of the early season limited overs games, Hertford hosted a Radlett side searching for form in their first timed game since the 2019 season. A picturesque Balls Park was bathing in sunshine as Ben Cowell lost the toss and was asked to field on a pitch that looked full of runs.

James Leather and Andrew Knight opened the bowling for Hertford to try and make good use of the new Dukes ball. The pair toiled away in an attempt to make an early breakthrough, but were unable to deliver the discipline they needed in the hot June sun.

With the Radlett openers beginning to gain a foothold, the hosts were able to put a brief hold on their progress. Some inspired glovework from wicketkeeper Cowell brought Knight an unlikely stumping to remove Chatfield for 18. The wicket was merely a minor bump in the road for the motivated visitors, as Crawford and Arul continued to build the Radlett innings, bringing up their side’s 50 in the 13th over.

With the partnership pushing past fifty, Hertford turned to the spin of in-form Jonny Underdown, who was finally able to break the partnership as the score neared 100.

Joined by Kabir Toor, opener Crawford continued unabated to ease himself to his half-century and his side their 100. It was the third wicket pair that began to capitalise on the positive start. The score crept comfortably towards the 200-mark before Underdown claimed his second wicket to remove Crawford for 84.

With 20 overs remaining, Radlett captain Jenkins came to the crease to immediately add the impetus his side needed to put Hertford under pressure.

With wickets in hand, he and Toor jumped on a tiring bowling and fielding unit to force through the 250 mark. A late wicket of Toor for 79 did little to halt the relentless visiting side, who were able to finish strongly. With some solid late hitting, Radlett were able to declare with 309 on the board for the loss of just five wickets.

Hertford had a minimum of 56 overs to chase the challenging total but knew they had the pitch and betting depth to do so. Their chase got off to a tough start after some probing early bowling resulted in the early loss of Will Ray to a sharp rising delivery from youngster, Noah Cornwell.

Riddle soon followed to add to Hertford’s woes, leaving them 26-2 and with a large hill to climb in their run chase. The Stags knew they required a strong showing from their young third wicket pairing of Cavener and Regan to stabilise the innings.

Having batted well for their fifty partnership, the leg spin of Toor was soon able to restore Radlett’s advantage by removing Regan for 20. Cavener however continued to graft in the late afternoon heat, to bring up a well made 50 from 69 deliveries to give his side renewed hope.

Despite Cavener’s hard work, Kabir Toor had different ideas and was able to bring the youngster’s promising innings of 52 to an abrupt end, before quickly removing Richard Leather soon after. With the tea break approaching, Hertford found themselves 109-5 and facing an unrelenting Radlett side eyeing up a comfortable victory.

After the tea break, Radlett were able to remove the hosts’ last real hope of victory as their number six, Max Lawrance, fell for a patient 43. Toor then dismissed Ben Cowell to secure a five wicket haul to complement his first innings fifty.

At 169-8 and the victory well out of reach, Hertford needed to battle through the final hour of the play to salvage a draw. Ninth wicket pair, Carlson and Underdown, batted confidently in an attempt to frustrate the visitors in the face of some probing bowling.

Fortunately for the home side, the well-drilled Radlett attack couldn’t find the goods to dislodge the resolute pair, as Carlson and Underdown guided the Stags to a well-fought draw.

After a tough day in the hot sun, captain Ben Cowell was still able to take the positives out of the game. “We know we were slightly off the pace today but I’m pleased with how well we dug in to secure a draw and 11 important points” he remarked. “We’re still well in the chasing pack and know that a win next week gets us right back up towards the top end of the league.”

Hertford travel to Welwyn Garden City next week trying to get back on track in their bid for the top four.

Author: Andrew Knight