Knebworth Park leapfrogged into top spot after their third straight win with victory over Reed in the Saracens Herts League Division One. Their charge was again led by Chris Brook in taking 8-53 in 19.3 overs as the visitors were bowled out for 132 in cha

Knebworth Park leapfrogged into top spot after their third straight win with victory over Reed in the Saracens Herts League Division One.

Their charge was again led by Chris Brook in taking 8-53 in 19.3 overs as the visitors were bowled out for 132 in chasing the Park's total of 195-9 after a recovery from 124-6 by the lower order.

Jarrod Turner kept his 100 per cent record of winning the toss and decided to bat. Turner and Phil Simpson fell early before Steve Gregory and Ryan Skeggs fell either side of a five-minute interlude for a shower too heavy for play to continue.

Park were 59-4 in the 21st over but Adrian Holmes and Adam Sergeant pushed the total past 90 when Holmes (24 at the time) had to retire injured.

Sergeant (26) was caught by Reed skipper James Heslam off Peter Tidey's bowling, and Paul Slade became the sixth wicket with 124 on the board.

Sam McCrow joined Louis Champion and they soon blasted a 50-run partnership before Champion (38) lofted an easy catch.

Holmes returned with a runner and McCrow continued his form with the bat, hitting 42 in only 36 deliveries, before being magnificently caught on the boundary in the last over. With Holmes (30) caught on the penultimate ball, the innings finished with Park scoring a competitive 195-9 in the full 53 overs.

Brook began his man of the match nomination by taking the first four wickets to leave Reed 81-4. Reed slumped to 123-7 (Brook trapping Will Clarke between Turner's two wickets), and with 13 overs still to bowl, Knebworth were big favourites to win.

Brook's final 22 deliveries did not concede a run, but did claim the final three wickets, Tidey the last to fall, giving Ryan Skeggs his second catch of the day as Reed were all out for 132 in 38.3 overs.

* The thirds were held to a draw in a game that they dominated throughout against Northwood seconds. Usman Chaudhary and Graeme Valentine batted together for the last 10 overs and put on 84, with Chaudhary scoring 62no and Valentine ending a classy innings on 87no as the Park closed on 210-4.

The Northwood skipper dropped anchor in reply and the match ended in a draw at 123-7.

The fourth team's disappointing season continued with defeat at the hands of league leaders Sawbridgeworth thirds. Sawbo posted 213-6 in spite of an excellent spell from spinner Ross Courtney.

Park were bowled out for a poor 105 on a wicket that had no real demons in it with captain Bret Painter top scoring (38no) before running out of partners in the 39th over.