REED bounced back to the top of the Saracens Herts League Division 2 and claimed a 54-point boost in the process. Not only did they rout Ampthill away, but they also picked up a further 25 points after the Hertfordshire League adjudged Knebworth Park sec

REED bounced back to the top of the Saracens Herts League Division 2 and claimed a 54-point boost in the process.

Not only did they rout Ampthill away, but they also picked up a further 25 points after the Hertfordshire League adjudged Knebworth Park seconds to have fielded an ineligible player four weeks ago.

Saturday's game unfolded with Reed fielding a side missing wicketkeeper and ex-captain Simon Jackson, but this did not hold them back as they dismissed Ampthill for 129 in 42 overs.

Peter Tidey (21-7-40-5), William Clarke (10-2-31-1) and Andrew Emms (6-0-15-4) all shone with the ball for Reed, with their tight bowling limiting their opponents' chances.

With extra overs in hand, Reed started their reply well, with Baz Curtis taking the attack to the bowlers, and in trademark style he hit an imperious 25, before he was run out by a direct hit with the score on 65.

But Chris Jackson (23 not out) steadied the ship with skipper James Heslam (38), on the back of games with the Herts League representative side, looking in ominous form for the closing weeks of the season.

It took an lbw decision that struck his front pad attempting a sweep off Esh (7-2-23-1), to dismiss him.

However, Phil Frenay was also in top form and his 31 not out powered Reed to a 30-point victory, with two top-edged sixes off consecutive balls.

Captain Heslam said: "This was a great win for us and to bounce back in such a strong way against a team who have previously had an edge on us was fantastic.

"We batted and bowled so strongly, and I'm really encouraged for next week's fixture against Watford Town."

MICHAEL Robertson recorded his maiden century for Reed as his tremendous innings of 111 formed the backbone of the thirds' fine victory over Flamstead seconds.

Coming to the crease at 51-3, after useful early contributions from Heslam senior (15) and Swain (21), Robertson put the visitors attack to the sword and made them rue their decision to put Reed into bat.

In a quality innings, Robertson struck a series of powerful yet classy shots to all parts of the ground, recording nine sixes and nine fours - a total of 90 in boundaries in his score of 111.

Much to the relief of the visitors bowlers, Robertson was eventually bowled with the score at 214 - 4 after a Reed thirds' record partnership of 163 with Masseeh Naeem (35).

Skipper Heslam senior eventually declared at 249 -6 off only 41 overs, leaving the home team 49 overs to bowl out the shell shocked opposition.

Reed's bowlers were equally merciless, as openers Rupert Martin (2-5) and Bobby Costen (4-23) reduced Flamstead to a dismal 10-5.

After something of a recovery to 55-5, the introduction of Ward into the attack saw the visitors' resistance completely subside and they collapsed to 86 all out, with Reed registering a mammoth 163-run victory.