Reed’s safety in Division 2 was guaranteed as they placed themselves 10th on Saturday thanks to a sterling batting and bowling performance as well as a magnificent individual club batting record set by opener James Heslam who scored a scintillating 203* propelling the home side to a thumping total of 277 off only 46 overs to win by 42 runs.

Opening the innings without his regular partner Baz Curtis, who was lowered down the order to solidify Reed’s middle with his experience, Heslam battled with Will Clarke (10) in a testing opening spell by Nick Rice(1st 8 overs for 8 runs), who kept runs tight and looked like forcing a breakthrough throughout. However, sensible batting ensured that Reed retained 10 wickets in hand by drinks at 17 overs, and as such Heslam could therefore be in a position to open his shoulders and accelerate the run rate.

It began as he struck 16 off X in one over. When Clarke fell as he attempted to do replicate Heslam’s aggressive stance, this only encouraged Heslam to continue in his fine vein of form to send bowling to all parts of Reed’s village green, in what has emerged to be the highest individual score in the club’s history and the only double century scored for Reed CC. Chris Jackson (38*) assisted Heslam well with a crafted innings of singles to allow the dominant Heslam to plunder the strike and assault the bowling further.

Despite the cautious start, his runs came at a bewildering pace, including 2 sixes, 1 five and 30 fours, despite the fielders being posted to the boundary to try and abate the carnage. It came to no avail, as Heslam propelled Reed to 277 for 1, the team’s highest score this year, with James scoring 73% of the runs, putting the hosts in an excellent position to declare after 46 overs and give themselves 54 overs to bowl out the opposition.

The Chorleywood innings could not have started worse, as Andrew Young’s (3 for 29) probing pace ensured that their opener edged a regulation chance to wicket-keeper Simon Jackson with the score on 5. Young’s pacey spell continued as he produced countless chances, and when Michael Berks (3 for 64) came into the fray, he too bowled with deadly accuracy to find the edge of the Chorleywood middle order batsmen. Between Young and Berks, the main batsmen were given a very testing spell. Assisted by some excellent fielding all round, and a couple of wickets from Reed’s own Monty Panesar, Chris Jackson (2 for 31), Reed managed to dismiss their Australian star batsman, Matt Cullen for 40 runs, and edge closer to the target of 30 points and booking a place higher in the league. Of particular note were Simon Jackson’s 3 catches and stumping with the gloves, and an excellent high catch from Marcus Martin and a sharp low slip catch from Baz Curtis.

Chorleywood eventually folded for 235 off 51.5 overs further dampening their season and providing Reed with the boost require to have a last dash at finishing near the top of the table.

Simon Jackson commented: “We were not only delighted with 30 points after a tough couple of weeks, but also delighted for James after watching an innings of pure class. His score was the 3rd highest in the Herts League history in all divisions however if he batted on longer he could have broken the league record. It will surely be a Reed record that will stand for a long time which James deserves through his ability and what he has put into the club this season. We tried to keep Chorleywood interested however fair play to them as they only stopped going for it when they had their last pair in Reed face Welwyn Garden City next week away.