Saturday was a bonus weekend for Reed as they bounced back to top of Division 2 with a 54 point boost. Not only did they rout Ampthill away, but also picked up a further 25 points after the Hertfordshire League adjudged Knebworth Park IIs to have fielded an ineligible player some 4 weeks ago in contravention of League rules.
Saturday;s game unfolded with Reed fielding a side missing wicket keeper and ex captain Simon Jackson, but this did not hold them back as they dismissed Ampthill for a mere 129 in 42 overs.
Despite losing the toss, Reed were asked to bowl on a true but slightly moist wicket. A tight opening spell from Peter Tidey (21-7-40-5) and William Clarke (10-2-31-1) saw the hosts off to a slow start, Clarke exploiting some variable bounce and seam movement in a hostile spell. This eventually brought rewards as he struck L Archer’s (12) off stump with a sharp delivery.
With the score on only 23, this encouraged Tidey, who then dismissed P Clark (16) LBW followed swiftly with an uncharacteristic caught and bowled off a well struck ball from D Goul (0). Reeling on 29 for 3 this only brought G Rupping (30) and H Nittle (24) to the crease, as Rupping completed a succession of boundaries of Clarke, then new bowlers R Johnson (2-0-14-0) and Karl Ward (3-0-16-0). It took another special ball from Peter Tidey to trap him LBW. With Tidey in his stride, Andrew Emms (6-0-15-4) was brought into the bowling attack with immediate impact as Chris Jackson snaffled a half chance at mid off to bring new batsmen Esh (3) and Snowden (14) to the crease. But Emms and Tidey broke this partnership as they did the next. It was a sharp catch at first slip from Baz Curtis at 1st slip to dismiss D Everit (6) off Emms to close their innings, and represent Emm’s second consecutive 4 wicket haul and Tidey’s second 5 wicket haul of the season.
With extra overs in hand, Reed started in a vibrant way, Curtis taking the attack to the bowlers with a trademark imperious 25, until he took a risk on a single and was run out due to a direct hit with the score on 65. But Chris Jackson (23*) steadied the ship with skipper James Heslam (38), on the back of games with the Herts League representative side, looking in ominous form for the closing weeks of the season. It took an LBW decision that struck his front pad attempting a sweep of C Esh (7-2-23-1), to unsettle his fine form, but Phil ‘the power’ Frenay in a dismissive 31* powered Reed to a 30 point victory, with 2 top edged sixes off consecutive balls.
This victory puts Reed 1XI in a realistic position for promotion to Division 1 and they look forward to their following fixture against Watford Town at home.
Captain James Heslam commented: “This was great for us to bounce back in such a strong way against a team who have previously had an edge on us. We batted and bowled so strongly, and Im really encouraged for next week”
