Two weeks ago I wrote about the prospective challenges and issues that promotion of our 1st Xl to the Home Counties Premier League (East) might bring. Those 18 days ago it seemed that the promotion dream was unlikely for 2012, as our SHCL League had published promotion lined League Tables that showed only ONE side being promoted from Division 1 in 2012. That side seemed certain to be Hertford CC, and that issue has been confirmed and settled since, when on Saturday we went down to a last over defeat at their ground. However, within 24 Hours of my article being published on this website the SHCL had suddenly remembered their own rules (!!) and announced that an error had been made and that TWO sides are always promoted from Division 1, and that when necessary an extra side will be relegated from HCPL(E)!! We all know how keen the SHCL are on FINES for maladministration errors (Facilities and Umpires Reports being missed/late etc..) – I wonder if they will be fining themselves!!
So with one week of the league season to go our 2nd Xl are already guaranteed promotion, and need just to avoid defeat and get at least 6 points, or Win, or lose and get at least 16 POINTS, from their last fixture against 2nd placed Hexton to go up as Champions!! Good luck to them with that match and really well done to have already gained promotion – and all this despite the 14 point penalty from the 1st match “Selection-gate” issue!!
The 1st Xl, after taking 9 wickets and passing the 185 run mark on Saturday v Hertford are still just in 2nd place in Division 1, and a win on Saturday will see them promoted to the HCPL(E) for the first time in the Clubs history. If they succeed and go up, Hoddesdon and Knebworth Park will be dropping down past us also accompanied by either Chorleywood or West Herts CC. So a major match and one last big effort required. Many neutral and opposition supporters were heard to comment on Saturday that the Reed fielding was the best they had seen at their ground all season, and indeed for many years! I am led to believe that some of our bowling was not quite at its recent peak but we will not be confronted by another batsman of the quality of the Hertford opener next Saturday. As to our batting we know we bat all the way down the order and hopefully for this last match the focus, application and concentration levels will be 100%, and we will not suffer any poor umpiring judgements such as the 2 diabolical decisions that 2 well set, key Reed batsmen, suffered on Saturday at Hertford!! Langleybury need to win the match themselves to ensure avoiding a drop to Division 2 so a keen fought encounter is likely.
With 4 x League matches to play on the day the travelling support to Langleybury will be limited to the retired brigade of “old farts” and the teams families, but here’s to another “Dunstable 2012” performance! Sadly we won’t have the Lords sequel the following day this year!
Good luck guys! It’s all up to us to perform on the day. (On the other hand a constant monsoon across the whole of Hertfordshire for the whole day would do!!).
JQH
(This Weekly column is written by John Heslam Club Chairman of Reed Cricket Club. The views expressed in the article are his own and do not necessarily comprise those of the Clubs General Committee)
