Reed further strengthened their bid for league promotion on Saturday as they registered their third successive Division 3 victory over Bishops Stortford IIs at home. The win consolidates their third position, and tightens the top-of-the-table struggle against Hertford IIs and St. Albans IIs. It also marks the third successive weekend where Reed 1st XI and 2nd XI have registered maximum points.

Simon Jackson, winning the toss, chose to bat, which proved to be the correct decision as James Heslam, in his first league innings having recovered from a nasty finger injury, build a useful 62, in conjunction with Tom Fulk (34). The Stortford openers were particularly punished by the pair. However, once they were removed, Chris Jackson (43*) and Richard Jerome (90*) were able to take hold of the bowling attack, and amass a huge 231 declared off 46 overs. M.Bashford (18-6-75-0) bowled some particularly testing left arm spin, and was certainly the pick of the Stortford bowlers.

The declaration always gave Stortford a sporting chance, which their top order relished as they began in flamboyant style as they began on a very positive not, despatching the Reed opening bowlers to all corners of the park.

Opener M.Leaver (39) played some particularly powerful shots until he was adjudged run-out when pushing for a misconceived single in the covers. The slower bowlers, Peter Tidey (14-2-47-4) and Richard Jerome (16.3-10-25-1) managed to extract more from the Reed wicket, as they slowed the scoring rate and took crucial wickets. Every Stortford batsman chipped in, particularly M.Bashford who amassed 50* in very few overs striking 16 in 3 balls at one point to keep the visitors in with a chance.

However, with opener Berks (11-1-73-2) coming back from snatch two crucial wickets, Stortford run-push gambled a potential draw with a potential loss, which unfortunately ended in a loss for them as another run out occurred with three balls to spare, leaving them floundering on 216 all out off 53.3 overs.