Berg is a Radlett record-breaker

1:59pm Monday 30th June 2008

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RADLETT 332-6 . . .

FALKLAND 182 . . .

Radlett won by 160 runs.

Home Counties Premier League Division One.

A breathtaking 159 from Middlesex all-rounder Gareth Berg and 5-44 from team-mate Kabir Toor was too much for Falkland to handle.

Radlett lost the toss and were asked to bat first.

Skipper Shane Burger said: "If I had won the toss I would have wanted to bat first anyway. The pitch looked like it would spin later in the day and we wanted to post a good score and put them under pressure."

The innings got off to a bad start once again, with both openers losing their wickets cheaply, and Radlett found themselves at 10-2.

Burger was caught in the slips for a well-played 41, before Berg walked to the wicket.

The latter looked like a man determined to score runs, his shot selection and elegance was a sign of what a class act he is. Steve Lowe made a useful 50, before Felix Walker joined Berg at the crease. What was to follow was a record fifth-wicket Radlett partnership of 153 runs.

The two batsmen hit the ball to all parts of the ground and were in full control. The partnership ended when Walker was stumped trying to move the score on even quicker for a magnificent 52. Berg continued playing breathtaking shots, which also included reverse sweeps of the highest quality.

Berg was eventually dismissed in the penultimate over, when he skied one to deep square leg. His 159 was a club record in the Home Counties League and a personal best.

Radlett knew they would have 55 overs to claim 25 points and they got off to a good start when Rob Watson struck twice in his first over.

It was, however, a day when spin was going to dominate. Toor claimed a wicket with the very first ball that he bowled. He became chief destroyer, as the visitors cantered to victory.

Berg added after the game: "I enjoyed batting with Felix and together the two of us broke a club record, which is always a nice achievement. The guys all bowled well and it was great to have gone away from home and claim 25 points."