Chris Jackson pushed his season’s league average to over 100 on Saturday against Holtwhites Trinibis by smashing 135*, in similar vein to his 87* the previous week against North Mymms IIs. His remarkable achievement, in oppressively hot conditions, formed the core of Reed First XI colossal 260 for 4 off 51 overs. The home side were unfortunately unable to capitalise on the this total as they just failed to bowl out the opposition, leaving them with 18 points and a moral victory.

Losing the toss for the third week, Reed were forced to bat first, and suffering an early blow through a run-out, Reed were reduced to 17 for 1. Tight, nagging bowling by Watson and W.Olam applied early pressure, but Jackson’s arrival at the crease saw both James Heslam and the Centurion find their rhythm to build a 2nd wicket partnership of 156. Heslam fell to a yorker by Watson, but his typically aggressive and attacking style saw him amass a belligerent 69. Fill-in skipper, Ray Kingshott (18), Baz Curtis (11) and wicket keeper Stuart Smith (18*) all chipped in to support Jackson to his highest score of the season, and undoubtedly one of his most memorable innings.

Holtwhites responded by losing their opener to a magnificent delivery by Berks in the first over, but Hewitt and Ellech (22) bludgeoned several boundaries to demoralise the strike bowlers, Johnson and Berks, and help their side fly to 67 for 1 off 11 overs. It seemed that Reed’s fortunes would soon end and that Holtwhites may be able to clinch a victory, until Clarke entered the fray to bowl the dangerman Hewitt (35) with his first delivery. Some sharp fielding saw Ellech run out, but the momentum continued with Whyte and Burgess clubbing their way towards the total at a rapid speed. Their innings were cut short when Clarke (14-0-55-4) eventually managed to remove them both for 21 and 46 respectively. These crucial wickets slowed the run-binge. Ray Kingshott and Chris Jackson, bowling in tandem, then continued to constrain the Holtwhites’ batsmen by both snatching a cheap wicket. In his comeback spell at the end of the innings, Clarke managed to then bowl Stephenson who had crept to 48, but was unable to dislodge the last two, ensuring that Holtwhites held on to the draw and deny Reed another 30 points. Despite the disappointing result for Reed, it was an excellent all round bowling and batting performance, leaving the local lads unbeaten for 6 weeks in league cricket.