Despite the up coming club tour to the Cotswolds, Reed’s 1st XI managed to keep focused on their promotion push. Thanks to efforts of groundsmen Richard Robertson and Jason Archer the ground was ready for the scheduled start at 1pm despite the weeks rain. Skipper James Heslam lost the toss, but wasn’t too disappointed to be put into bat. Baz Curtis and Heslam took the score to 38 before Curtis middled one off the back of the bat and was caught at point. This brought in Chris Jackson who along with Heslam tamed the pitch. They put the bad ball away and along with some good running put on 86 for the 2nd wicket. Heslam was caught for 63, his second successive league 50. Jackson was LBW for 38 when the score was on 136. Reed could have wobbled, but with Tom Fulk scoring a measured 30 and a late flourish from Simon Jackson, 8, and Marcus Martin, 19, Reed posted a very respectable 213-6. This left relegation threatened Broxbourne with 1 point. Reed hoped this would force the visitors to attack their target.
This Broxbourne did through the whole of their innings. They had reached a comfortable 29 before Peter Tidey struck, removing Dawson for 16. By the time the score had reached 49, Tidey and protege William Clarke had the visitors struggling at 49-4. When Tidey took his 4th wicket in his 10th over he had only conceded 17 runs. Both bowlers were well into their stride. Clarke took his second wicket in his 13th and final over. He took 2-36. A delighted Tidey picked up his fifer and left the home side in sight of victory as Broxbourne were 89-6. Broxbourne to their credit decided attack was the best form of defence and as Reed kept a tight field Broxbourne went over the top. It took a great run out from Chris Jackson to break the partnership. With one stump to aim at and no one backing up he left Maffett well short. Reed missed a couple of chances to seal victory, but Ed Garrott fresh from his own Hertfordshire tour of the Isle Of Wight tempted Rhodes into one drive too many and Chris Jackson took a good catch in the deep.
Skipper James Heslam said afterwards, “It was a good win and probably our best fielding performance of the season. Their was a big home support today and I was worried some of the players may be nervous as the pressure grew, but we took our chances and deserved to win. With 2 games to go our promotion chances are in our own hands and hopefully we can cap a great season with promotion.”
