26th August 2017

A 22 run victory over Radlett IV’s left Greenwood Park needing just nine points from their final league fixture to secure promotion from Division Eight B of the Saracens Herts Cricket League.

It was a game-changing 4-21 from Arslan Khan that swung the game in Park’s favour after Chris Kent’s side had earlier posted 201-10.

Kent himself scored 40 of the runs, with Aman Talha adding 44 and the impressive Khan posting 37* as Park were bowled out in 49.1 overs.

At 115-3 in just 27 overs the game looked to be going the way of the visitors, but the introduction of Khan proved a masterstroke.

The right-arm bowler got the key wickets of the destructive Simon Jackson (72) andcaptain Nick Fielden (50), as Greenwood turned the momentum of the game.

The next highest scorer was keeper Chris Edler (14), as Park produced an excellent bowling display under pressure – Mubarak Zeb and Shafaat Hussain joining the action and both collected two wickets.

A sharp run-out by Ajmal Hussain wrapped up the innings as the hosts removed theirtitle rivals for 179 with 3.2 overs to spare.

Although the possibility of winning the title is not mathematically impossible (Park trail by ten points), Radlett host bottom placed Waltham X Rosedale II’s on the final weekend in a match they should comfortably win. 

But Park’s huge win over current table-toppers Radlett puts them on the brink of securing second spot – with only a heavy defeat to Stevenage IV’s this Saturday able to prevent Greenwood from reaching Division Eight A.