September 2013 - Page 14 of 14

As the Season comes to an end we ARE approaching a “Tipping” Point?

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 [...]

1st XI Promotions Looms

Despite losing the top of the table clash with Hertford, Reed maintained their position 2nd in Herts League Division One heading into the final round of matches this Saturday. Hertford skipper Gale won the toss and elected to bat for the first time this season knowing 5 bonus points were all they would need to confirm their promotion. He then proceeded to impressively hit the first 4 balls of the match to the boundary to set the tone for the Hertford innings. Despite this Reed fought back hard and picked up their 1st wicket at 34-1 in the 5th over with Jack Tidey (1-42) rushing McGregor into a mistimed pull shot. Despite this breakthrough, Hertford continued to make good progress led by Gale who played a captains innings of 77 in quick time. He was supported by solid middle order contributions from the Ray brothers and Joyce. At 178-3 in the 40th over Hertford looked on course but when Gale became one of the impressive Tom Greaves (5-78) five wickets the innings faltered. With Curk (3-35) bowling well in partnership with Greaves, Reed were able to avoid Hertford racking up a very big total restricting them to 232-9 in 53 overs. So there was hope for Reed in the chase on what was a good batting wicket and short boundary one side. Reed got off to a decent start with the Heslam brothers taking the score onto 67-0 in 15 overs with Will Heslam (41) playing very impressively scoring at an excellent rate. However James Heslam (27) was then controversially dismissed caught behind and Greaves fell immediately after turning the game in the space of four balls. Will Heslam then fell leaving Reed at 75-3 [...]