A SHELL-SHOCKED Radlett were on the receiving end of a batting masterclass from Benji Hector, the South African run machine, on Saturday as their search for their first win of the Home Counties League season continues.

Dan Chippeck's side would have fancied their chances of victory at the half-way point after a century from Shane Burger and a fluent 63 from Steve Lowe helped them to a commanding total of 249 for seven from their 66 overs.

But Hector, who averages over 35 in first-class cricket in South Africa, inspired his Banbury side to a six-wicket victory with a scintillating 146-ball 132 not out.

The defeat leaves Radlett one place off the bottom after three games. They host Henley on Saturday.

In Division Two East, Harpenden were edged out by three wickets in a low-scoring contest with much-fancied Welwyn Garden City.

Mike Howard's troops were undone by Herts spinner Ben Frazer (five for 24) as they were bowled out for just 121. But Harpenden fought-back in the field, with Ben Mahoney taking five for 46 to cause more than a few nerves to jangle in the Welwyn camp.

Despite a winless start to the season, Harpenden have picked up enough bonus points to leaves themselves in the comfort of sixth spot.

St Albans are also yet to break their duck this season in Division One of the Saracens Herts League. Martin Jones' side appeared to have done the hard work when Zeeshan Butt (six for 30) engineered a collapse that saw Hoddesdon crash from 157 for four to 174 all out.

But St Albans folded in reply, losing their last eight wickets for just 49 runs as they were bowled out for 98.

London Colney suffered humiliation on Saturday, going down by the huge margin of 194 runs in their Division Three clash on Saturday.

Set an improbable total of 274 for victory after Chapman, the Bishop's Stortford second XI opener, had helped himself to 170 not out in 47 overs, Colney were shot out for just 79 all out in 21 overs They had no answer to Colney's Australian bowler, Carfield, who filleted the Colney middle-order to finish with figures of six for 30. Only Paul Hadley (15) and Tony Holloway (14) reached double figures.

The second XI, meanwhile, continued their good start in Division Seven with a third comfortable win, away at Hoddesdon third XI.

Skipper Paul Seymour asked the home side to bat on winning the toss and he saw his decision totally vindicated as Hoddy were bowled out for 131 in 45 overs.

Richard Rouse, playing his first game of the season, was Colney's start turn, taking four for 15 from 11 overs, and he was backed up by John Gibbons (two for 31) and Den Hadley (two for 18), with young Connor Dow also getting a wicket.

Colney started their innings in dark, overcast conditions but Adam Buckmaster illuminated proceedings with an impressive 66 while Rouse bludgeoned 20 off the last over as Colney got home comfortably with eight wickets to spare.

Greenwood Park were left to reflect on a staggering seven dropped catches as they were beaten by 47 runs away at Bayford & Hertford second XI.

Samultak was the main beneficiary of Park's benevolence, compiling a match-winning 115 out of the home side's total of 222 for three.

Park started their innings very positively, with 24 coming from just the first four overs but they never really discovered the same fluency after a mini rain break.

Mel Baker led the charge with a measured half-century but the loss of five wickets for just 24 runs left Park with too much to do and they were bowled out for 175 in the 40th over and left wondering what might have been.