Slipping back into his role as skipper, Simon Jackson led his side to an emphatic and morale crushing victory over Waresley at home.

Resuming on a batting track, Waresley elected to take to the crease and, although struggling against William Clarke (7-0-34-1) and Reed warhorse, Peter Tidey (9-2-21-0) with the swinging ball, Reed looked in a strong position on 50-2 off 20 overs. But having paced the inning in such a manner, P Gillett (62) and S Lewis (29) upped the scoring rate. When Lewis was caught on the boundary by James Heslam off Jason Archer’s nagging medium pace (9-0-53-2), this brought Warnam (56) to the wicket, who struck his score off 32 balls bringing Waresley back into the game. When Karl Ward (9-0-40-1) finally bowled the dangerman, and the lower order were mopped up by some skilful fielding by the young Reed side, the opposition ended on a respectable and challenging 192-8 off their 40 overs.

A buzz of excitement ran over the Waresley batsmen as they foresaw Lords in the distance. Simultaneoulsy, a nervous energy ran through Reed’s dressing room. This was heightened when Yorke (6-0-37-1) skittled Baz Curtis’ (0) leg stump with a slow looping yorker first ball of the innings. Yet, again, this provided Jackson (80*) the perfect platform to build upon his ton the previous day as he worked the ball to all gaps with James Heslam (88*). Heslam showed his true intention with some punishing pulls and drives, sending a chilling reminder to other teams in Herts League Division 2 and Langleybury for the NVC final. Their hare-like running between the wickets showed the difference between the sides? ages as Jackson and Heslam regularly turned 1s into 2s, to reach the opposition?s total in 29 overs.

The victory now sees Reed recreating the outcome of the 2003 NVC regional final by facing Langleybury at Langleybury on 18 June 2006.

Simon Jackson commented after the game: “This was a startlingly efficient victory for Reed. We shall be going into the final hoping to run Langleybury to the wire again, but this time actually ensuring we end up as victors of Herts & Beds. Chris and James batted with ferocious power, and responsibility beyond their experience. If they can carry this over in a fortnight, and our bowlers hit their lengths, we can really show Langleybury what we are capable of. It might be worth booking your seat on the boundary early!”