Despite a superb bowling display from Graham Wilson Reed could not bowl out Harpendon IIs and win at home on Saturday. After losing the toss and being put in Reed lost Curtis and Blissett with only 24 on the board. However this bought together James Heslam and Chris Jackson. The 2 ex-county colts slowly repaired the damage as well as seeing off the new ball. With rain clouds looming the 2 batsman accelerated the run rate and Heslam reached a chanceless 50 with Jackson following shortly after. Then after putting on 170 for the 3rd wicket Heslam was caught behind for 93. Reed finished on 230 for 6 with Jackson undefeated on 87. In reply Harpendon got off to a solid start before Graham Wilson took 2 quick wickets. Harpendon continued to build partnerships but Reed managed to break them ever 20 or so runs. However Reed ran out of overs with only 2 wickets outstanding, with Harpendon scoring 199 and Wilson finishing with best ever 1st team figures of 4 for 29.

REED ROMP TO PROMOTION PLACE Saturday saw Reed First XI bounced into promotion zone, as they squeezed in a crushing 7 wicket home victory against Hatfield Hyde. Other teams were disastrously hit by the soggy conditions, providing Reed with a further advantage. The home side, keen to sustain their promotion drive, and Hatfield desperate for points, ensured the fixture was played. A sudden change in weather conditions slightly dried the wicket allowing Reed to extract maximum seam and swing movement, as they elected to bowl first. Sharp fielding saw Reed also take all their catches, most notably a magnificent effort from skipper Simon Jackson who bagged a skier, and benefit from shoddy running by forcing 3 run-outs. Nevile's top-scoring effort of 20 was in vain because Peter Tidey stole the show with another 5 wicket haul for just 27 runs off 26 overs. This saw Hatfield Hyde reduced to 59-5. Clarke and Berks chipped in with a wicket apiece, but it was Tidey who provided the impetus as Hatfield Hyde slumped to 127 all out off 52 overs, mostly surrendering cheaply to the man-of-the-match's frustratingly nagging length. After tea, Reed were pinned back to 33-2, until opener Heslam opened his shoulders to hit an aggressive 56. In conjunction with Gary Bridge, who himself also thumped a majestic 56*, the 93 run partnership overwhelmed Hatfield Hyde, as Reed surged to another victory with over 20 overs to spare. Reed now lie unbeaten for 8 weeks (including 6 victories), and comfortably in line for promotion at 3rd equal, after rocketing 7 places since last week. Boxmoor are set to face Reed this coming Saturday.

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 [...]

Reed First XI were robbed of a victory on Saturday by some determined and focused batting by Luton Town IIs to save a draw. Still faltering as bottom of the league, Reed posted a mammoth score of 232. In a return from usual fortunes, the top order of Chris Jackson (61), Geoffrey Wornham (55), Gary Bridge (32) and Baz Curtis (51*) performed solidly to tire the Luton bowlers. A probing opening spell by Richard Johnson (1-27) and Chris Jackson (2-36), saw Luton suffer from early losses, keeping Reed in with a chance of victory. Further supported by Clarke (2-28) and Berks (1-33), Reed continued to cut through the opposition's line-up, but were thwarted by some defensive and sensible batting by young Dhaval (35*), who guided his side to a draw. Toiling until the close of play, Reed worked as an effective unit against some negative batting, just missing out on clinching their first League success of the season. However, for the first time of the season, Reed worked together to command the course of the match, and it acted as a positive sign for future league matches this season.

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. [...]

Reed moved to within 8 points of long term leaders Harpenden after a nail biting 4 wicket win against Old Camdenians. After losing the toss, on a wicket offering very little assistance to the bowlers Reed got an early break through when Will Clarke had the visitors opener caught in the slips by Gary Bridge. However despite good fielding and tight bowling the Camdenians built their innings round a solid 63 from Arnold and some hard hitting from Bevan. Camdenians managed to obtain there last batting point on the penultimate ball of the innings setting Reed a target of 201 in 47 overs. The pick of the Reed bowlers were Will Clarke 3 for 27, Michael Berks 2 for 51 and Richard Johnson 2 for 29. Reed got off to a solid start with Clarke and James Heslam putting on 43 for the 1st wicket before Heslam decided to pull a ball that never got up and was clean bowled. Reeds batsman all got in without any batsman taking control of the game. Clarke (30), Heslam (20), Bridge (26), Wornham (29) and Jackson (18) all got going before getting themselves out. However with 50 runs still required off 11 over and only 4 wickets left, Reed still needed a solid partnership to secure victory. However a partnership between old stalwart Ray Kingshott (25*) and youngster Stuart Smith (19*) saw Reed home with 6 balls to spare. Reed now face Old Haberdashers on Saturday in a top of the table clash. Victory for Reed will see promotion to Herts Division 3 and cap a fantastic comeback for the team that were bottom of the table 10 weeks ago. Reed press officer Will Clarke says that “we [...]

Reed First XI reserved a place in Herts League division 3 for next summer as they cruised to a comfortable 151 run drubbing of fourth placed Old Haberdashers on Saturday. Just 10 weeks ago, Reed were facing relegation as they languished in bottom place, but an 11 week unbeaten spell, including 9 wins have seen them cement themselves as comfortable league leaders. Winning the toss, Simon Jackson elected to bat on pitch which traditionally offered notoriously variable bounce. Old Haberdashers benefited from this as a low delivery saw them draw first blood, but Reed's batsmen were up to the task as everyone contributed healthily (Helsam 46, C.Jackson 36, Wornham 41) to the total of 252 for 3 declared off 46 overs. It was Baz Curtis who top-scored smashing an imperious 66*, as Ray Kingshott (20*) solidly supported him at the other end. The innings was somewhat marred by Wornham, who unfortunately was forced to retire hurt after twisting his knee attempting a pull stroke. Reed's reply began in typically attacking style. Clarke removed one opener, but it was Berks who profited with some excellent seam bowling by claiming 3 specialist batsmen for 31 runs in a testing opening spell. His first wicket also marked a personal feat for the young fast bowler, as he registered his 100th 1XI League wicket for the Club. Peter Tidey then penetrated the middle order even further as he plundered 3 wickets for a mere 10 runs off 10 overs, to effectively exhaust all hopes of a batting recovery for Old Haberdashers. Fielding was tight throughout, with Reed holding every chance, notably two catches by wicket keeper Stuart Smith, and a one handed slip catch by Tidey. It was only [...]

Reed 1st XI run of poor form continued on Saturday as they fell victims to a strong all round Potters Bar XI, leaving them languishing at the bottom of Saracen's Hertfordshire League Division 4. Bowling first, the Potters Bar's openers proceeded to remove four early wickets making early inroads into Reed's middle order. However, resistance in the form of a patient 55 by Chris Jackson, and 30 not out by Stuart Smith, characterised by some energetic running between the wickets, ensured Reed crept to a vaguely credible total of 124. Defending some accurate bowling from Peter Tidey (2-22), Potters Bar proceeded steadily and consistently with R.Martin (34), Barker (31*), and Coughlan (30*) helping to steer their side to a 7 wicket victory over the hosts. Once again, Reed's batting proved to be brittle, and it will need to improve if they are to avoid relegation this season, or even to secure their first league victory on Saturday against Luton Town IIs.

Reed Champions of Division Four Champagne flowed and the party continued through the night at Reed on Saturday, as Simon Jackson led his 1st XI side to snatch the spoils of Division 4 glory and promotion at the hands of Sandridge. Reed 1st XI's 12 week unbeaten trend was compounded as they overwhelmed, and aided the relegation of the opposition by seven wickets. Scoring 186-6 off their 53 overs, Reed restricted the visitor's well, despite some powerful shots by D.Kerry (33) and Miller (39), with wickets spread evenly throughout the bowling attack. Reed's fielding was sharp throughout as they again demonstrated their youthful superiority by snatching 2 run-outs and performing some spectacular diving stops. Yet the victory was earmarked by James Heslam's chanceless maiden league century. Having registered a golden duck the year before, he extinguished all doubt by demoralising and dominating the Sandridge bowling attack by classily striking the ball to all parts of the ground. Some solid support from Clarke (28), and C.Jackson (24) clearly aided him in his quest for his 104* but his innings of deft nudges plus powerful pulls and drives was a clear highlight of the league season. More importantly, his first-class innings ensured Reed sealed total command of the league having trailed in bottom place 11 weeks ago. Furthermore, it compounded their 3 month unbeaten purple patch, marked by 10 victories. Reed ensured victory with 10 overs to spare fulfilling a team dream, and forging an historic record-breaking season for the club. Club and 1st XI captain, Simon Jackson, elated with the culmination of a nail biting season, commented after the match "Many sides wrote us off part-way through the season, but we proved that we had the [...]

Sawbridgeworth 2nd XI beat Reed 1st XI by 94 runs. Reed 1st XI slipped to penultimate position in the Saracens Herts League Division 4 on Saturday after losing by 94 runs to a strong Sawbridgeworth 2nd XI side. Batting first, Sawbo opener Heath and Moseley, solidly supported by Burrall, took advantage of home knowledge and conditions to build a strong opening partnership. Reed battled back to restrain the opposition to 220 runs, with wickets spread between the bowlers. Despite losing 3 early wickets, a powerful 49 by Gary Bridge kept Reed's hopes alive, on a pitch further dampened by pre-tea showers. However, some accurate seam bowling and aggressive team tactics saw Sawbridgeworth shatter Reed's crumbling tail. With only 5 overs to snatch a draw, Simon Jackson's stoical 21 proved to be in vain, as his Michael Berks was victim to a "close" LBW decision allowing Sawbridgeworth to surge to a 30 point victory, further pressurising Reed to position themselves in the league reflective of their potential talent.