Reed 1st XI race to Division 2, which would mark their second successive league promotion in two years was strengthened on Saturday as they crushed Bushey by 7 wickets away on Saturday. Reed was also celebrating the 2nd XI winning Division 8, ensuring a double club league victory if Simon Jackson's 1st XI beat mid-placed Harpenden IIs on Saturday. Despite returning that morning from a physically arduous club tour to Nottingham, Reed maintained their professionalism as they justified their decision to bowl first. Michael Berks (11-3-34-1) made an early breakthrough with the score on 8. William Clarke (13-4-15-3), then had opener Devan superbly caught at point by James Heslam. Clarke continued to remove their number three thanks to a sharp chance which was held by Baz Curtis at second slip, and their number 5 Zahid with a caught and bowled chance. With Berks tiring, Reed's 1st XI leading league wicket-taker Peter Tidey (14-6-26-4) assumed the mantle of responsibility beginning with a crucial wicket maiden. Exploiting some variable bounce and favourable swing conditions, he tore through the middle order with ease. With two late wickets by Richard Jerome (5.4-2-5-2), Bushey were always struggling to challenge as they amassed a paltry 94 all out. A testing spell before tea saw James Heslam (15) begin strongly, but an unpredictably low ball had him trapped LBW from opener Nabil (5-0-34-1). The tea-watchman, William Clarke, again promoted from his regular number 9 position to 3, came in with the score on 15-1. He partnered Tom Fulk (6) before the interval, until Fulk was unlucky to be adjudged LBW the over before tea. After tea, Clarke (41*) strengthened his position and opened his shoulders as he capitalised on some overpitched deliveries, [...]

Reed slumped to an unlikely 53 run away defeat on Saturday as Botany Bay ended their unbeaten run in League cricket since June last year. Reed still remain top of Division 3 despite the loss, 5 points clear of second placed Redbourn. Having won the toss on a damp wicket, Reed were confident of skittling the opposition cheaply. Opening bowler William Clarke (7-1-26-1) made an early breakthrough, but struggled to find his length bowling to J.Sherring (28). It took a mammoth effort by Peter Tidey (26-9-64-5), to breakthrough thanks to some sharp wicketkeeping by Stuart Smith with 2 catches and a stumping. In conjunction with Richard Jerome (14&Mac247;4-30-2), Reed reduced the opposition to an achievable target, despite some aggressive strokeplay by M.Steele (25) and S.Hunt (34), which saw them claw back to 144 for 9 off their 53 overs. Reed's response began in a disappointing manner as B.Rose (10-7-14-5) removed both Reed openers and the middle order cheaply. With their backs against the wall, heavy reliance was placed on gritty innings by Stuart Smith (19) and Gary Bridge (26), who also played some scintillating strokes to all corners. However, D.Wilkinson (11-2-39-3) ended their rebellion as two LBW appeals saw the umpire&Mac226;s finger raised. The tail of Richard Johnson (12*), Michael Berks (6) and Peter Tidey (10) fought hard, but in vain, as the league-leaders capitulated for a meagre 91 and a paltry 4 points. Despite the loss, Reed remained up-beat, as skipper Simon Jackson commented : "We still are top of the league, and we see this as a blip in our League crusade from which we can learn a lot. A loss, at some point, was inevitable, and we probably needed it to keep [...]

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 [...]