The weather put paid to much of the Cricket scheduled for Saturday but a window in a bleak general weather allowed the Saracens Herts Championship League match between Hoddesdon and Reed to survive and produce an amazing batting display from the visitors Reed who secured a valuable win.
Reed won the toss and in view of the weather invited Hoddesdon to bat first. An early run out saw the home team slip to 12-1 but then several rain interruptions followed and the match was scaled down in overs. From a low point of 90 – 3 Hoddesdon put together a good late surge to register a very respectable 229-3 from their 41 overs thanks to a fine 81* from Davis well supported by a fluent 78* from Curtis.
Reed were faced with needing 230 to win from just 37 overs, a target in excess of 6 runs an over. However, skipper Heslam instructed a victory charge from the word go and switched his batting order around accordingly. Sean Tidey promoted to open with Will Heslam set off at a furious rate striking 4 boundaries in the first over. Will Heslam reached a good 26 off 27 balls before being bowled with the score on70 but the arrival at the crease of Tom Greaves saw things get even worse for the home side. Greaves struck the ball majestically and powerfully all around, and often well out of, the ground. He rapidly moved to 50 catching up with Tidey who was by no means slow scoring. Tidey eventually fell caught in the deep for a superb 55 but the Reed charge to victory was well underway with the score 152 – 2. The shell shocked Hoddesdon bowlers had no respite as Jack Tidey promoted up the order with instructions to keep up the victory pace came to the wicket. He struck 31 in just 16 bal ls as Greaves also maintained his rampaging innings. Reed passed the 200 mark and victory was assured if only the weather stayed fair. Greaves fell bowled for a brutal 75 and Tidey for 31. Reed lost 2 further wickets but with quality batsmen now relegated to the tail the result was never in doubt. Last weeks batting hero, skipper James Heslam came in at number 7 and struck the winning boundary as Reed achieved the 230 required for victory for the loss of 6 wickets and in only 27.2 overs an amazing strike rate of almost 8.5 runs an over.
Reed remained in 2nd place in the league behind unbeaten Hertford, but moved further clear of the chasing pack with a 27-point margin between themselves and 3rd placed Flitwick. Reed play Flitwick away next Saturday with their National Village Cup last 16 tie on the Sunday against Suffolk side Worlington.
