Reed First XI further strengthened their bid for promotion to division 3 by destroying Boxmoor on Saturday. The convincing 93 run victory marked a sterling all round performance by Reed helping raise them to second, when they once languished at bottom. Winning the toss, Reed skipper, Simon Jackson elected to bat first on a wicket with notoriously erratic bounce. Despite early setbacks where Reed were 47/3, due to some testing bowling by C.Marshall, the decision proved to be well judged, as Baz Curtis, in an aggressive innings of 30 battled with G.Wornham to build a semi respectible total. However, it was Wornham who stole the show as he patiently grafted a match-winning 71*, finding runs in all areas. Reed suffered collossal middle order collapse, but R. Johnson (19), and P.Tidey (17*) in an innings of agricultural flamboyancy, dragged Reed to a competitive 204 for 9 declared off 48 overs, on a pitch which offered excellent support for bowlers. Boxmoor's slipped up early on, as Berks (4-65) darted the ball off the pitch in both directions to remove their opener and number 3 cheaply. There was excellent support in the field, most notably Johnson who pouched a crucial catch at mid-wicket, and Heslam's lightning run-out. However, R.Marshall (24), beginning to find his feet with the bat ensured the score crept to 63-3, leaving Boxmoor in a great position to close in on victory. What followed was an event of almost sporting legend, as a run out, two wickets in consecutive balls by Tidey (3-21) and Berks striking again saw the home side's backbone shatter as 5 wickets tumbled for 2 runs. Stranded on 65-8, Luck (26) and Estherhuizen struck some powerful blows to raise the the [...]

It was Reed Frist XI's local league clash of the season on Saturday, as they played away to Braughing, who are in desperate need of a win. It was Reed who prospered, as skipper Simon Jackson steered his side to a crushing 8 wicket victory over Adrian Jackson's men, who now lie languishing in relegation zone. But whilst it was Simon Jackson who snatched the spoils of victory, Michael Berks was the central Reed figure who spearheaded the humiliating assault, by snatching another 5 wicket haul for a mere 34 runs. The Braughing top order of Manser, Gerrard, Radbourne and Chambers Jr. all clearly struggled against some venomous new ball bowling. Combined with Clarke (13-6-30-4) at the other end, Berks reduced the home side to a mocking 36-7. Backed up by some first class fielding, it took just 27.2 overs to demolish Braughing for a paltry 65. No batsman settled, not even the captain who registered his second successive league duck against Reed in 2 seasons. Reed's reply was in stark contrast to Braughing's effort, with Curtis (29) and Heslam (24) opening in typically aggressive fashion to forge a solid 44 run first wicket partnership off 9 overs. The highlight was undoubtedly Heslam's 10 run binge off ex-Reed Colt Chris Chambers' first two deliveries. With menacing clouds gathering on the horizon, and imminent rain, Reed in their hurry lost two unnecessary wickets. Gary Bridge and Chris Jackson polished off the required runs with ease. This now marks the seventh week where Reed lie unbeaten in league cricket (5 victories, 2 winning draws), and a continued period of misfortune for the Braughing bunch who are now struggling to stay afloat in Division 4.

A top class team performance on Saturday saw Reed 1st XI romp to their first league victory of the season in the Saracen's Herts League Divsions 4. Chorleywood II's drubbing came with 20 overs to spare as Reed cruised to a crushing 10 wicket win. On a batting friendly wicket, Clarke and Berks reduced Chorleywood to 19 for 3 with early break-throughs, but Fox almost spoilt the party, in his first game of the season for the opposition, hammering a quickfire 54. Yet persistent and calculating fast-bowling by Clarke saw him outwit the dangerman letting Reed back into the game. Berks re-found his rhythm during his second spell removing the middle order with ease, aided by 2 superb diving catches by wicket-keeper Stuart Smith, ending the game with figures of 3-58 off 12 overs. A tailend revolt by Chorleywood batsmen D.Sanchez and Loft saw them compile a semi-respectable total of 162 until Clarke, blasting back into the attack managed to remove them to end the innings with 5-41 off 18.4 overs. Reed were confident in sealing the victory as a weary and confidence-drained Chorleywood failed to bowl a consistent length. Reed's batsmen could rest their feet whilst Curtis smashed a chanceless 69* in partnership with James Heslam's bludgeoning 76*. In an innings marked by some faultless boundary shots, Chorleywood battled until the end in the field, but fell victim to a beligerent bowling and batting performance by Reed, allowing them to prepare for their forthcoming fixture against Totteridge brimming with confidence.

Reed First XI, once found languishing at bottom of Herts League Divisions 4, have stormed to 11th place, after recording their third successive victory on Saturday away at Clarendon. Losing the toss, and put in to bat, Curtis and Heslam gave Reed a solid start recording scores of 34 and 53 respectively. When they both fell to Clarendon's opening bowler, Chris Jackson (38) and Geoffrey Wornham (40) adopted their roles patiently building a solid total. However, a flurry of wickets saw Clarendon regain control, and perhaps able to restrict Reed to under 200. However, some sharp running between the wickets and big hitting particularly by Stuart Smith (19*), ensured Reed could declare for 208, bagging an extra 3 overs to dismiss the opposition. Some tight opening bowling by Clarke saw him make an early breakthrought for Reed, but it was Berks who stole the show this week, as he, supported by Tidey and Johnson, dug deeply into the middle order with probing accuracy weakening Clarendon's chances of a 30 pointer. Only were the balances tipped towards the home side when Wise smashed an imposing and almost unstoppable .., but an inspired bowling change saw Berks remove the dangerman, putting Reed back into the driving seat. From this point, Berks and Tidey tore through the batting line-up, as clarendon stumbled to 155 all out, with only 3 balls to survive to snatch a draw. The extra overs gained by declaration clearly paid dividends. Berks ended with figures of 5-48, and Tidey with 3-37. The victory represented further evidence of Reed's late bid for League promotion, as they prepare for their clash with North Mymms II this coming Saturday.

Reed crashed to defeat against a strong Clifton bowling side on Saturday.After winning the toss and batting Reed lost influential openers Baz Curtis and James Heslam with only 10 on the board. Reed then tried to dig in to repair the score but lots of seam movement, swing and unpredictable bounce saw Clifton rip through the Reed batting line-up. Only Ed Blissett with 26 offered any resistance for Reed as they were bowled out for 56. In reply Reed got the early break through with Michael Berks removing Leech for 2, however with only a small total and the Clifton batsman riding their luck Clifton won with 8 overs to spare.