Billy Mead half-century helps Bishop’s Stortford beat Radlett in Hertfordshire Premier Cricket League

Billy Mead hit a fine half-century as Bishop’s Stortford claimed a six-wicket win at third-placed Radlett in the Saracens Hertfordshire Premier League, Premier Division on Saturday (July 26).

He helped the visitors successfully reach 205-4 after the hosts had staged a recovery to post 203 all out.

Stortford captain Dom Clutterbuck won the toss and, after electing to bowl, saw one of his predecessors, Dom Chatfield, caught behind by Cameron Fletcher off the bowling of Sam Davis in the first over.

Wickets fell steadily to Davis (3-62) and Callum Sykes (3-67) as Radlett were reduced to 99-8 in the 27th over. Rain fell after lunch and the timed contest was reduced to a 57-53 overs split.

Suhan Shovkar batted sensibly at No 7 for the hosts and put on 76 for the ninth wicket alongside fellow 18-year-old Aadit Arun.

Shovkar also featured in a 10th-wicket stand of 28 as he remained undefeated on 108 to help Radlett make 203 all out in 54.5 overs.

The other wicket takers for Stortford were Clutterbuck and Ben Twohig with 2-21 and 2-29 respectively.

Stortford lost Davis in the third over of their reply, followed two overs later by Adam Bassingthwaighte.

Mead stayed calm and produced a 47-run partnership with Twohig before the latter was unluckily caught in the slips for 18 to leave them 76-3.

Fletcher joined Mead, with the latter’s innings continuing without giving a chance before he was bowled for 80 in the 40th over with the score on 152-4.

Fletcher carried on and remained unbeaten on 44 while Joe Burslem hit a run-a-ball 36 as they took Stortford to 205-4 with 11 balls to spare.

The second team took on their Radlett counterparts at Cricketfield Lane in Division 2A and suffered a narrow 20-run defeat.

The away side batted first after winning the toss and, after losing an early wicket, reached 189-2 in the 45th over thanks to two big partnerships.

Will Cutlan-Smyth then proceeded to bowl four batsmen to end with 4-31 off nine overs and Radlett ended their 50 overs on 219-8.

Tom Howes and Haitel Patel started well for the hosts by putting on 39 together, but the former was dismissed for 18 in the eighth over, followed a few overs later by the latter for 24.

Cutlan-Smyth (23) and Hugh Williams put on 45 for the fourth wicket before WIlliams also shared a 40-run stand with Travis Hussain (18).

Jake Ratcliffe (22) and Williams, who got 68, took the score to 179-7, but that was the end of the resistance and Stortford were all out for 199 in the penultimate over.

The third team went down by 95 runs when they entertained Matching Green in the Tees Herts & Essex Border League, Premier Division.

Ollie Hartnell made 53 in Matching’s 243-9, with Sam Braund and Will Hodges taking three wickets apiece for the home side.

Stortford’s reply started well as Rav Garcha made 34, but no one got a score as they were bowled out for 148. S Quddus took 4-19.

The fourth team suffered a three-wicket defeat at Braughing in Division One.

Ant Foster (40) and Grahame Smith (43no) top-scored as the visitors were restricted to 146-6 in a shortened game of 36 overs per side.

Opener Alex Godber hit 40 before 14-year-old Aditya Dua took 3-22 to give Stortford a chance, but Braughing reached 147-7 in the 32nd over.