Division One Reed 128-8 (53.0) St Albans 129-1(27.2) BEN Ramsay picked up four wickets as St Albans recorded a comfortable win against Reed on Saturday. The impressive Saints were chasing their fourth win in six Division One matches

Division One

Reed 128-8 (53.0) St Albans 129-1(27.2)

BEN Ramsay picked up four wickets as St Albans recorded a comfortable win against Reed on Saturday.

The impressive Saints were chasing their fourth win in six Division One matches and after losing the toss restricted Reed to a very slow 128-8 off 53 overs. Ramsay claimed 4-39 and Richard O'Toole (2-19) and Murtaza Hussain (2-45) also bowled well.

In reply, St Albans eased to victory with just 27.2 overs used. Phil Caley scored 72 and Matt Howeson carried his bat for a careful 31.

In Division Three St Albans II went away to Stevenage II for what proved an entertaining clash.

St Albans won the toss and elected to bat on a good looking track at Stevenage. Michael Goodfellow again batted well for 59 not out as Saints posted 228-5 declared. Jai Mukherjee (24), Simon Galloway (39), James Giffen (32), Mike Curtis (19) and Iain Curtis (39) also made contributions.

In reply Stevenage got of to a good start with opener Ganji hitting a quick 43 before he was caught at silly mid off by skipper Dan Longhurst off the bowling of Wischnowsky. Stevenage then slowed to well below the required rate, unable to hit the seam attack off the square. They looked to have settled for a draw before St Albans enticed the Stevenage batsmen to hit out. The introduction of spin brought runs and wickets, upping the St Albans points tally to a respectable 17. Simon Galloway picked up 4-34 off nine overs and Waheed Ahmed, Daniel Longhurst and Shaun Wischnowsky each took one wicket. Stevenage secured the win on 229-7 off 48 overs.

St Albans III struggled for much of the game at Flitwick II in Division Seven on Saturday. Brad Newall claimed three wickets in his final over but Flitwick declared on 239-4 off 50 overs thanks largely to a stand of 215 for the second wicket.

In reply, Toby Furnivall worked hard for his 48 before Brad Newall (56) and Nick Kirwan (33) added rapid runs. Amit Garg (16 not out) and Steve Ferguson (10 not out) batted out to ensure Saints claimed the draw on 215-9 off 50 overs.

In Division 10 St Albans IV beat Dunstable IV with a fine performance on a dry Rothamsted Park upper pitch.

Having won the toss St Albans elected to field and Dunstable were dismissed for 132. Hamaad Basir picked up 3-30 off 10 overs. Jamie Telkman picked up 2-9 off six overs and Nick James also took two wickets. Sam Pullan and Nadeem Arif each claimed one victim.

In reply, Pullan (41 not out) and Arif (47 not out) led the run chase as Saints eased to victory on 133-2 off 30.5 overs.