Plans were laid to tour New Zealand to celebrate the centenary year of 1984, but this was adjusted to Scotland for cost reasons. In the league Radlett moved up to a surprise third place. By a happy coincidence the side was strengthened with an influx, most notably the arrival of David Robinson, who hit 12 fifties and a century in all games while amassing 1,185 at 47.40. Roger Morgan, from Hampstead, and Martin Edney, from Brondesbury, were other significant batting recruits, both Radlett residents. With Hickman in his best form, the batting suddenly became formidable. Carr played only four matches.
Robinson, an accountant from St Albans, was directed to Radlett in a chance meeting with Peter Hinstridge, and seldom can there have been a more significant encounter. Though Hinstridge served the club superbly as swing bowler, umpire and treasurer for many years, his biggest impact on results was introducing ‘Robbo’, who moved from Sandridge to Radlett a couple of years later.
Holland, with 96 wickets, Draper and the Scottish off-spinner Dave Smith carried the bowling, and a string of good results guaranteed an enjoyable centenary season, though Draper complained at the annual meeting that he kept getting electric shocks in the showers. Haberdashers schoolboy Andy Griffiths hit 110 not out in a club game at Tring Park, becoming the youngest centurion at the age of 17 years and 75 days; the previous youngest had been Ivor Golby in 1933.
The league season started with a gripping five-run win over Berkhamsted at Cobden Hill where Radlett’s total of 105 proved just enough. Draper took four wickets – two caught at short-leg by Dave Smith – and it was Smith who captured another four wickets, including the final victim when an attempted winning six landed in Randall’s hands on the midwicket boundary. The team was stronger, though failure to overhaul 114 at Letchworth and a collapse to 27 for six at Welwyn Garden City in two draws hinted at the mediocrity of previous years.
A cricket week featured matches against a Hertfordshire XI, Sussex Clubs XI, Ivor Golby match for the oldies, Richard Lumb’s Yorkshire XI and Donald Carr’s XI, who featured the former Pakistan ‘great’ Hanif Mohammad, still formidable at the age of 49. The Scottish tour in August took in Stirling, West Lothian, Stenhousemuir and Watsonians. Off the field were the usual barbecues, discos and parties, culminating with a centenary ball and a major club dinner at Lord’s. A float was briefly considered for the annual Radlett Carnival.