No Swiss amongst The Radlett Overseas Professionals lead by SA 1st class player-coach Sean Burger. Home Counties League rules prevent more than 1 overseas player per XI but in this match, they came together like a Christmas Special.

Every minor victory was cheered by the Islingtonians given that our country cousins had to be told where exactley Islington was; but none more so than Radlett's inability to take 10 wickets on what was flat track indeed.

James Gleadow Reports "The Pacific team arrived at an idyllic Radlett for this Sunday game hoping to bat first on a scorcher of a day.  Unfortunately Steve Lay lost the toss and Pacific were made to field. Radlett got off to a flier with Gleadow’s opening over featuring three dauntingly hit fours from the big opener. However, Atkin bowled well from the end and picked up a deserved wicket and the big opener hit one straight to Steve Lay at deep mid-off off Gleadow to make it 38/2. 

At this point Radlett’s overseas professional Shane Burger (11 first class matches with average of 23) took charge playing a succession of fine drives through the covers and straight down the ground. He was supported well by Jeganthan, who nurdled his way to a fifty, in a partnership worth around 200. Chandler and Vanderpump bowled with good heart and discipline but the run rate remained above six an over. Allan Roberts was hit for over twenty off his first over but then bowled tidily and was unlucky that a couple of mistimed edges fell just away from fielders.

Shane Burger was wonderful to watch as he made 130+ off 70ish balls before he and Jeganthan retired (not out strangely). A couple of Radlett youngsters boosted the score to 293/3 before the declaration.

Pacific never really had any chance of chasing that score with the four best batsmen in the club not playing. Hollman and Chandler provided a solid start and after Hollman departed Vanderpump and Chandler put on a fifty partnership at a respectable (but nowhere near quick enough) rate. Chandler made a well crafted and powerful fifty before being bowled and after that it was a rearguard defensive action. Atkin played a fine defensive innings for 10 before strangely waltzing down the wicket and getting stumped. Bastin provided some entertainment whilst making 20. In the end it was left to Korgaonkar and Gleadow to bat out eight overs for a draw which they did relatively uneventfully although the Radlett leg slip was left to regret his sledging when the next ball was sent thumping into his shins.

This was a good draw for Pacific against a strong Radlett team. Shane Burger was magnificent with the bat and we were lucky he kept rather than bowled (first class record 35 wickets at 26).  We played pretty well by our standards but were never in the hunt. Sensible batting led by Chandler ensured a respectable draw. There were at least ten Pacific fans there as well providing good support."

XI:-Steve Lay*, Chris Atkin, James Gleadow, Peter Hollman, Allan Roberts, Conrad Chandler, Simon Smith, Aroon Korgaonkar, RobBastin+, Tim Vanderpump, & Ian Lay.