Ampthill v Reed First Xl REED travelled to a strong Ampthill side in the Herts League division two on Saturday and lost by 190 runs. Captain Simon Jackson s decision to bowl first proved costly as the home side raced to 61 off 14 overs. Throughout the

Ampthill v Reed First Xl

REED travelled to a strong Ampthill side in the Herts League division two on Saturday and lost by 190 runs.

Captain Simon Jackson's decision to bowl first proved costly as the home side raced to 61 off 14 overs.

Throughout the Ampthill innings Reed found it hard to break up partnerships and despite some good bowling from Michael Berks (4-61), Chris Jackson (2-31) and Andrew Emms (2-34) Ampthill managed to amass a total of 256-9.

In reply Reed's Baz Curtis and James Heslam got off to a solid start. However, due to an excellent Ampthill attack, and poor light runs became scarce as Reed struggled to beat Ampthill's innings total.

However the increasingly swinging and seaming ball saw off the two openers leaving Chris Jackson to top score with 24. The introduction of Ampthills "Freddie" Fordie, who took 6-10 in five overs, saw off Reeds tail with the last five Reed batsman failing to trouble the scorer and were bowled out for 65.

Reed captain Simon Jackson said: "I am disappointed with the side's performance. However, we appreciate that Ampthill are a very strong side and they probably had the best of the conditions".

Reed 2nd XI v St Albans

REED Second XI romped to victory thanks to a Karl Ward a maiden undefeated half- century in this Saracens League encounter against high-flying St Albans on Saturday.

Another batting collapse looked on the cards early on losing both John Heslam and Ian Fulk.

But the Reed pairing of Richard Johnson (30) and Ben Bowles (30) began to bat sensibly and put their side into a comfortable position.

But the two fell in quick succession and left Reed's batting in need of attention, with Ian Roberts and youngster Karl Ward leading the cause.

With a score of 120 looking likely, Ward rose to the occasion and after an inauspicious start, played with the power and confidence of a seasoned campaigner and by the close of innings had reached an excellent 52 not out.

Reed's total of 189 was always going to be challenging, and with Nottingham varsity star Richard Johnson in the attack it proved so.

Johnson ripped through the Saints top order, recording figures of 6.4 overs 7-25.

Johnson aided by the swinging Ian Roberts 3-13, decimated any chance of even a draw for the visitors, wrapped up the innings with three wickets in four balls to close the innings.

Reed 2nd XI v Hateley & Arrington

OPENING batsmen John Anderson and Shaun Davenport shared a first wicket stand of 184 for Hateley and Arrington's at Reed on Sunday, with both batsmen mixing solid defence with some powerful straight drives.

Reed's bowlers toiled for 34 overs before they achieved their first success when Davenport was caught at the wicket off Neil Haslam for 61. Anderson went next over just two short of a century. Anderson was bowled off-stump by David Hill, who then repeated the delivery by bowling Knibbs for a first ball duck. Haslam (3 for 24) struck twice more, both batsmen collecting ducks as Hateley and Arrington ended their 40 overs on 215-5.

Reed needed a solid start to be able to get close to their target. At one time they were 63-1, but David Johnson was bowled for 32 and Peter Baker went for 19. After that Reed's batsmen perished regularly, with Hateley and Arrington's Steve Hooley and Andy Jakes chipping in with two wickets apiece.

Tom Greaves led a mini-fight back scoring 23 including four fours and Jack Tidey also looked comfortable at the crease while scoring 10.

In the end, though, Hateley and Arrington proved just too strong for the predominantly young and inexperienced Reed side who were all out for 118 in the 33rd over.

Reed Under-11

WITH only four of last year's team still eligible for the 2006 season, a reconstructed Reed side narrowly lost to rivals Royston in the Cambridgeshire Cup. Batting first Reed scored 102-1 thanks to an excellent opening stand of 71 in 13 overs between William Heslam and James Hooper.

Hooper went for an adjudged stumping for 22 as Heslam carried his bat to the mandatory retirement on reaching 41 not out.

Royston's Hall with figures of 4-6 was the outstanding bowler for the visitors.

In reply the Royston gave Reed a lesson in calling and running between the wickets and were always up with the required rate. Despite good bowling from Ollie Benham four overs for eight runs and William Heslam (1-14) the concession of 40 extras by the Reed team led to their downfall as Royston won comfortably with 104-2.

REED demonstrated significant improvement in their next match, a Hertfordshire League encounter with Pirton.

Choosing to field first, Reed soon had Pirton on the defensive, and William Heslam led the way with 2-13 in four overs and the introduction of Ollie Benham into the attack virtually settled the match.

Ollie opened with a three wicket maiden over - all clean bowled - and added a fourth wicket in his second over before being removed from the attack with 4-7 from his two overs and Pirton tottering at 43-8.

Daniel Share 1-13, Tom Makin 1-2, James Hooper 1-2 and Matthew Naeem 1-1 were also among the wickets as Pirton slumped to 46 all out in 14.4 overs.

In reply, Pirton's Baxter took two quick wickets reducing Reed to 11-2, but Heslam (27no) led Reed to a comfortable eight wicket victory.