Reed 1st XI consolidated their position in the Saracens Hertfordshire League on Saturday as they earned a healthy 18 point draw against Eversholt, maintaining their position at 8th in the table.

Winning the toss and batting first, Reed dominated the Eversholt bowling from the off, as James Heslam (45) and Tom Fulk (53) began a concerted effort to build a strong foundation for the home team.

When Heslam was unlucky to depart LBW (to the surprise of both the home team and many of the visitor players), Richard Jerome assumed his mantle by smashing an imperious 42 in a handful of deliveries, including a six off his second ball. None of the Eversholt bowlers particularly dominated, as Baz Curtis began to make inroads when Jerome departed until he was controversially adjudged bowled off left arm spinner Garrett.

However, this did not stop the momentum as Stuart Smith stepped up the pace in the dying overs with Chris Jackson at the helm who struck a useful 50* to find form again this season, helping Reed register 239-4 off 52 overs.

Eversholt’s reply began with vigour as their opener struck a mighty six in the first over off Jerome, but Peter Tidey had the last laugh as he had him caught at mid-off as he attempted another hefty strike. Despite some settlement, Richard Jerome soon broke the resistance as he claimed Reed’s first hat-trick of the season, much to the jubilation of the home supporters, firstly with a sharp stumping from Smith, followed by an LBW and a bowled wicket.

Eversholt were left reeling, as Reed continued to make inroads into their batting order thanks to some useful bowling from Richard Johnson. The Eversholt effort soon petered out despite some lower order resistance as they reached 185-8 off their 48 overs, with Reed unable to dismiss the final two batsmen, in similar vein to their match the week before against Ampthill.

Simon Jackson commented after the match: “We again played very well this week, and again showed our strength with the batting, but the elusive last couple of wickets have denied us valuable points which we deserve. Generally, I am pleased with the team’s performance especially Richard Jerome’s fantastic hat trick, but we must learn to tie up the game at the final hurdle.”