Strike bowler Richard Robertson recorded career best bowling figures of 9-46 and then hit a sparkling half-century to h elp Reed seconds to victory. Veteran Robertson, who has played at Reed for almost 20 years, primarily as a first team opening bowl, recently decided to drop down to the seconds to take over as vice captain.

The 48 year old’s bowling performance in Saturday’s Herts League clash beat his previous best of 8-14, taken more than 10 years ago. He said: “To take 9-46 was something extraordinary and as there was a lot of out-swing available, I thought it could be one of those days.”

“The atmosphere around the ground was quite heavy and the ball was swinging for me quite a fair bit.” “To then go out an hit a 50 that took us within sight of the finish was also extraordinary, so overall the game was a fabulous one for me and the team.” Team captain John Heslam paid tribute to Robertson’s performance, describing it as a “marvellous controlled display of swing bowling.” He said: “Richard is a real stalwart at the club and it is great to see him still putting in headline performances. He was unlucky not to take all 10 wickets. “I have seen two such displays during my career and if it happens, it happens. If Richard had taken nine wickets in a row we would have tried to help him take the final one, but at the time there as still a game to be won. “Nevertheless, it was a fantastic all-round display and we are all very pleased for him.”

Reed’s opening attack of Graham Wilson and Jim Alsop kept Langleybury quiet but at 89-3 they were well placed for a more than respectable total. At this stage Robertson really began to make in-roals into their middle order and took wickets at regular intervals. For a while it looked like he might have taken all 10 wickets, but Clive Collins pitched in with a solitary strike to leave Robertson one short as the hosts were skittled for 140.

Reed’s reply got off to a disastrous start, losing their first two wickets for just four runs, but Heslam (58) went on the offensive, punishing any loose deliveries by the Langleybury attack. By tea, Reed were 86-2 from just 15 overs, and when Robertson replaced Heslam, who scored 13 fours in his innings, he continued the onslaught. Having reached his 50 with the visitors in sight of victory, Robertson’s wicket fell with just six runs needed. It was left to Neil Traynor to hit the winning runs.