Following Reed 1st XI’s success as Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire Champions in 2006 with their victory over Langleybury last year, their quest began afresh again on Sunday as they faced Biddenham away. With the backdrop of a thumping victory against Buntingford the previous day, Reed picked up where they left off, as they amassed a goliath 274 for 5 off their 40 overs, managing finally to beat Biddenham by 141 runs.
Reed’s innings again started briskly as skipper James Heslam (58) and Baz Curtis (22) smashed the ball to all parts of a large ground until Curtis feathered a ball to the wicket keeper off Edmunds (9-0-49-2). However, it was an historic moment for Curtis, as this match marked his 15,000th run for Reed CC, marked primarily with his blistering form as an opener in both league and limited overs cricket. Heslam continued with Tom Fulk (90) until he played a lazy shot to point off Edmunds. With the score on 92-2 off only 12 overs, Reed’s openers had built a solid and confident platform for the middle order to exploit, and Fulk, together Chris Jackson (21) continued in steady fashion to pull the score to 145-2 off 25 overs. When Jackson mistimed a lofted drive to be caught off Taylor (9-0-42-1), Clarke (61*) came to the crease to partner Fulk as they plundered the second string bowlers to boost the score to 259 off 38 overs. When Fulk was run-out trying to reach for his century, Richard Johnson (3) joined Clarke but was bowled by a rapid straight delivery from D Morrish (4-0-27-1). Marcus Martin (2*) continued to partner Clarke to the end, as the pair took 17 off the final over, to settle the score on 274 for 5.
Biddenham’s reply began well, with R Fone (9) and D Morrish (13) punishing some early and uncharacteristic bad balls from P Tidey (9-1-28-4) and Graham Wilson (8-0-22-0), but Tidey soon found his length as he dismissed the pair in quick succession thanks to a sharp catch from wicket-keeper Simon Jackson. Tidey’s rout continued, as he found his line and length to dismiss P Mustoe (10) and M Wiles (18) shortly thereafter leaving Biddenham struggling on 61-4 off 15 overs.
The introduction of Richard Johnson to the attack (7-0-28-2) brought some lively bounce and hostility. He bowled Edmunds (4) with a perfect yorker, and Karl Ward (4-0-18-2) also decided to get involved as he picked up couple of wickets after Tidey’s devastating spell. Two late order run outs by Simon Jackson and James Heslam tore any chance Biddenham had from their grasp. Some late resistance from no 11 M Bhogal (11*) and B Gill (36*) dragged their score over 100, but Richard Johnson’s reintroduction proved too much as he produced another trademark yorker to end the game, and secure a 141 run victory.
James Heslam, after the game said: “Again, we continued our batting form from yesterday. I was also very encouraged by our bowling which shows clear signs of early season form and development. We really enjoy the NVC competition and are looking forward to what seems our annual showdown with Langleybury later in the month”
Reed are due to face Old Albanian in their opening League game on Saturday 5th May away.
