REDBOURN slumped to their second successive defeat losing at Ampthill on Saturday

Redbourn 221-8

Ampthill Town 225-2

Ampthill won by eight wickets

REDBOURN fell to their second defeat in succession after a disappointing display at Ampthill.

After winning the toss, Dan Roe had no hesitation in choosing to bat first on a scorching hot day on what looked like a high scoring pitch.

Redbourn’s openers Simon Osman and Chris Yorath got off to a solid start against a disciplined bowling attack and the score had reached 27 when Yorath was out lbw for 14.

Roe and Steve Root fell cheaply but Osman looked in good touch and along with Geoff Tookey put on 47 for the 4th wicket before Tookey fell for 25 and at 125-5 Redbourn looked like falling well short of a competitive total. Osman was next to go, falling for a determined 58 which included seven fours and a six. The regular loss of partners had meant he was never really able to take the attack to the Ampthill bowlers but his innings had helped lay the foundation for a late onslaught by the Redbourn lower order.

Ben Roe and Alistair Jones then came together and changed the momentum of the game with an excellent 73 run partnership. Roe was in particularly good form, hitting 53 from just 45 balls, including two sixes and Jones was run out for 37 in the final over but the partnership helped Redbourn reach 221, which although short of their original target, looked a competitive total.

Things started well in the field for Redbourn, with Jon Fleming taking an early wicket thanks to a Chris Godfrey catch, but this was to be their only success for some time as Ampthill’s Rupping and Gould put on 167 for the second wicket to make the game safe.

Any loose bowling was punished with ease and a succession of dropped catches and misfields didn’t do much to help Redbourn’s cause. Steve Root took a wicket late on but Ampthill eased home with eight wickets and seven overs to spare.

Ben Roe continued his good form on Sunday with his first hundred for Redbourn as they overcame Hemel Hempstead. Fielding first, Redbourn restricted Hemel to 178 from their 40 overs thanks to tight bowling from Jon Fleming (2-5) Ben Roe (2-26) and George Naismith (1-36). Redbourn never looked in any trouble chasing down the target with Ben Roe and Antony Mauder (45) putting on 97 for the first wicket. Roe was finally dismissed for an excellent 105 including four sixes and Redbourn reached their target with 8 overs to spare for the loss of just four wickets.