A classy innings of 87* by Chris Jackson helped Reed to their fourth successive league victory on Saturday of 4th placed North Mymms. Now placed 10th in a very tight division, Reed are still well placed to strike a late blow for promotion.

Losing the toss, Reed were forced top field on a batting friendly wicket. However, an early breakthrough by Clarke in his opening over left North Mymms stranded on 0 for 1, until Byam found his rhythm and struck an elegant and domineering 64, supported well by Cornwell (44). At 120 for 1, Reed appeared demoralised and set to chase a mammoth total, but the game changed when Ray Kingshott, in his first league bowling spell for the season, snaffled some key wickets with some perceptive swing, to end the innings with figures of 19-4-58-3. Chris Jackson’s spinners from the other end also kept runs tight allowing him to snatch 2 cheap wickets ending with figures of 11-2-30-2. Combined with textbook fielding, Reed stopped any particular batsman from settling, which accordingly saw the home side slump to 190 for 9 off their allotted overs.

In reply, Baz Curtis fell early, keeping North Mymms in with a chance, but a well grafted 33 by James Heslam ensured the second wicket partnership ended on 60, as we attempted on too many boundary strokes. The game potentially hung in the balance until Chris Jackson and Geoffrey Wornham (23) built a stable partnership that helped Reed’s chase edge closer to the total. As Jackson began to master the oppositions’ bowling, he selectively played some powerful attacking strokes and defensive shots to end the game on a chanceless 87*, with Stuart Smith on 16* at the other end.

After the match, Simon Jackson, First XI and club captain commented : “Having battled back from a point early in the season where team confidence was at such a low ebb, we have shown true team grit by bringing all aspects of our game together. If we continue in the same vein, promotion is still attainable.”

Having once been at the bottom of division 4, Reed’s unprecedented momentum for promotion could push them through to a further victory against Holtwhites Trinibis this coming Saturday.