Reed raced to 7th in the table on Saturday as they became only the second team in the Division this season to beat Bishop’s Stortford.  Despite a strong season, Bishop’s Stortford failed to muster any runs against Reed, who registered one of their most overwhelming victories of the season. 

Having won the toss asking them to bat on a damp wicket assisted by overnight rain, the visitors got off to a dreadful start, as Andrew Young (2-41), continuing in his fine vein of form from Dunstable the previous week, removed their opener thanks to a sharp leg side catch from skipper and wicket keeper Simon Jackson.  Tidey (4-45) continued as he than removed their other opener Orange with a sharp caught and bowled.

Despite some resilient middle order defence and the occasional boundary from Padgett (28) and Hughes (18) helping Stortford to 52-2 off 15 overs, Tidey and Young battled on in windy conditions.  It took a beautifully trademarked inswinger that squeezed through the defences of Padgett to strike middle stump and a further 2 wickets in one over immediately after the drinks break to put Reed back into the hunt, also thanks to a superb diving catch at midwicket from fast bowler Michael Berks.  Young also followed up with another to add to earlier wicket leaving the opposition floundering on 96-6.  After Frenay’s heroics were demonstrated, in an uncharacteristic piece of sharp fielding at gully to facilitate a run-out, Michael Berks (3-20), with his usual accurancy,  helped take pick up the tail cheaply to ensure the visitors were dismissed for 110 in 40.4 overs.

The home team’s reply began poorly as Will Clarke had another disappointing innings as he left a ball that jagged sharply in to clip his off stump.  With the sores on 15-1, Bishop’s Stortford felt that they could sense an upset, but resilient batting from opener James Heslam (54*) with his second half century in 2 weeks, and Philip Frenay (11), who struck a huge 6 off their spinner, ensured that Reed crept closer to the total.  There was also a welcome return to form by Baz Curtis (17) who showed all the signals of the ability he is capable of, despite a difficult season.  Despite losing Frenay and Chris Jackson (9) shortly thereafter to shots of impatience, Heslam held his nerve to guide the home team to victory with skipper Simon Jackson (1*) at the crease in 26.4 overs to register a 6 wicket victory.

Simon Jackson was delighted: “This was a big game for the 1st XI.  We have had a run of bad luck with the rain, and last week at Dunstable our gamble for 30 points nearly paid off – we felt that our league position did not justify our level of play, but this week we showed that we are capable of challenging top teams and perhaps being one of them next season.  To dismiss the two clear league leaders for 148 and 110 in respective weeks speaks volumes for our fielding and bowling.  Our victory put a spanner in the works for Bishop’s Stortford claiming the title”