Letchworth GC bounced back with an overwhelming victory over St Margaretsbury on a great batting track at Whitethorn Lane. With Knebworth Park surprisingly losing narrowly at Hitchin, the Garden City are now back on top of the Saracens Herts League Divisi

Letchworth GC bounced back with an overwhelming victory over St Margaretsbury on a great batting track at Whitethorn Lane.

With Knebworth Park surprisingly losing narrowly at Hitchin, the Garden City are now back on top of the Saracens Herts League Division One with two games to play after their disastrous day the previous week at Totteridge Millhillians.

The visitors won the toss on Saturday and elected to bat first and looked in little trouble against the home seam attack.

They did lose opener Scarborough for 11, caught by Richard Barclay off Ed Morse, but Aussie Livermore never looked in any trouble as he shared partnerships with Giles Tilbury (27) and then Simon Tilbury (41).

Letchworth GC skipper Steve March decided to take the pace off the ball and bowled his two off-spinners, Dom Marsh and Dom Chatfield, in tandem for most of the innings and they were able to prevent a late innings acceleration.

Marsh trapped Giles Tilbury leg before and Chatfield had Simon Tilbury stumped by Sam Booth, but that was the only successes as the visitors closed on 216-3, with Livermore unbeaten on 119.

In reply St Margaretsbury's limited attack never looked likely to defend the total. Simon Elliott was stumped off Simon Tilbury for 13, but that was their only success as Tom Cranston (87no) and Seb Franke-Matthecka (105no) put on 193 in 98 minutes to win the game with more than 10 overs in hand.

Letchworth have a full squad available for their trip to Reed this Saturday where a good result would leave them well placed for their final home game against third placed St Albans.

* The second XI also cruised to victory at Wheathampstead where the home side made 197-9, with Dan Burley taking 5-60, before Tom Simmons (75no) and Sarbjit Chahal (75) guided the visitors to a seven-wicket win.

The thirds were narrowly defeated at Fairfield Park by Radlett fourths. Matt Bridge made 37 as the Garden City totalled 120 but the visitors squeezed home by one wicket despite good bowling by Bav Aujla (5-28).

The fourth XI improved their promotion chances by winning at rivals Leverstock Green thirds. Skipper Andy Catherell top scored with 47 in a total of 141 and then Steve Lubbe (5-13) and Mike Hughes (3-15) bowled the home side out for 107.

The fifths, however, suffered a setback to their promotion hopes when a depleted side lost by four wickets to Hatfield thirds.

Only Matt Dyer (26) featured in a total of 73 all out and the home side reached the target six down despite two wickets from Rob Booth.