THRILLING AND CONVINCING WIN OVER LEAGUE LEADERS

A thrilling last gasp league win over current league leaders Radlett, a win sealed with just 4 minutes of play left saw Bar rise into the top three for the first time this season.

In truth, the leaders can have no complaints as they were well beaten as their run of 6 straight wins came to a crashing halt as Bar probably put in their best performance for some considerable time.

Radlett skipper Kabir Toor won the toss and opted to bowl first on an overcast day and the decision was to backfire as Bar batted in partnerships and put together a fine display. Granted, the rode their luck early doors thanks to a fine opening effort from Kiwi overseas Nathan Smith, but they got through that, thanks to positive but watchful batting.

Despite the early loss of Charlie Scott for 14, the rest of the top 6 all batted well. Steve Gale 41, Rehan Hassan 49, Rishi Patel 34 got Bar up to 143 for 3 at lunch off 31 overs as a score of 250 plus was the initial target. That target was passed thanks to a fine 84-run partnership between Pat Scott (60) and James Scott (25) as the visitors were looking desperately for a foothold and a late flurry of wickets as the search for quick late runs flattered them a little.

Bar ended on 291 for 9, a total that was huge in the context of the game and the visitors were right behind the 8-ball

To their credit they came out with gusto with openers Fraser Crawford and Chris Arul blasted seven boundaries in the first 5 overs as the started on the front foot. However Jigar Mehta got Fraser Crawford to snick behind for 23 and Chris Arul edged to second slip for 17 saw a wicket for Teddy Duke.

Luke Chapman came on just before tea took the game away from Radlett as the visitors lost three wickets in 5 balls. Joe Cooke was trapped leg before for 10, Nathan Smith was bowled through the gate for 0 and ex-Bar man Adil Zareef was leg before for 1 by Jigar Mehta. 61 for 5 at tea and Bar were closing in on their fifth league win of the season.

The prized wicket of Radlett captain Kabir Toor as he meekly chipped to square leg handed Luke Chapman a third wicket and at 75 for 6 and then Tom Jenkins joined Will Wright and batted sensibly. They put the full ball to the boundary with some ease and Jenkins eased to 50 in good time, 52 balls as Bar started to panic a little as time started to tick away.

The last hour (a minimum of 17 overs) started, the visitors still 6 wickets down and Jenkins and Wright had dropped anchor. The pair put on 78 in 120 balls but the defences were breached as Luke Chapman picked up his fourth wicket as Jenkins defiance was broken for 54 as he was leg before.

Time was Bar's only enemy as Will Wright batted as stoutly as one could expect and in truth looked in little trouble. However Bar kept at it and things were made interesting as Thilan Walallawita found the edge of Anthony Hill's bat and Rishi Patel took a fine low catch at second slip. Randeep Sanghera now joined Wright and 8 successive maidens were blocked as Bar bowled 23 overs in 53 minutes.

The end was possible thanks to a stunning bat pad catch by Man of the Match Luke Chapman off Thilan Walallawita, ending Will Wright's 150-ball vigil for 29 and next ball and with 4 minutes left and in fading light, a big arm ball trapped Abdulrahim Mulla on the crease and was hit in front of all three and Bar had deservedly won the game.

Luke Chapman 4/27 and Thilan Walallawita 3/30 took the plaudits, but lets make no bones here, Bar put in a fine all-round display and deserved to beat the league leaders by a unflattering 126 runs.

Next week Bar travel to Hertford looking to avenge the opening day defeat.