Reed’s Fourth eleven won again for the seventh time taking them into a deserved third place at the end of their debut season in Division 14. Reed hosted Preston at the Freman College ground and having won the toss captain Peter Baker put the visitors into bat. J. Skirrow made 53 for Preston but apart from R. Clark (15) who hung around for a while no one else made runs as a determined Reed side bowled out the opposition for 101 in 37 overs leaving Reed 53 overs to reach the low target. Kallum Ward (11.3-4-18-4) got the ball moving at one end whilst Ian Roberts (12-4-26-6) struck at the other.
Reed only needed 24 overs to secure the win, P. Baker and John Heslam made a solid base for the Reed innings making a partnership of 55 before Baker (22) miss hit one to mid wicket. Heslam (30) continued in his stead for a while striking 7 boundaries before he too was caught at mid wicket. Reed then lost two cheap wickets but Paul Garrott (13*) and Alan Ward (16*) were not going to make any mistakes as they took Reed over the finishing line and for the second week in a row won by 6 wickets. Reed needed to play and win and were very lucky not to get interrupted by rain. This victory brings an end to the Fourths first season in the Herts League and everyone should be very proud of some incredible personal and team performances in every game.
