Coming to the conclusion of the League season and we can now congratulate the Seconds and the Fourths for definitely achieving promotion from their respective Divisions. What has to be decided in the final fixtures is whether they go up as Champions. Mathematics & permutations come into the equation. For Marcus Martin’s team, this is their third promotion on the trot. For the Fourth’s, this is the youthful Lloyd Bowman’s first attempt at captaincy. Well-done to all the players representing these teams.
On the Green, Chorleywood made 157 all-out with Phil Lill again picking-up 4 wickets, but despite a forty by Tom Greaves and twenties by Stuart Smith and Sean Tidey, the 1st XI reached only 138 in reply. Promotion is just out of reach now but a final charge could put them in third place. Come-on James and the Firsts.
The Seconds travelled to Hoddesdon where Mitchell Cooper (80) and Richard Johnson (49) shone with the bat as they rattled up 230 for 8. Hoddesdon ended on 190 for 7 with the wickets shared around. Reed’s next fixture is against Cockfosters, but it is the final match against current second-placed Old Cholmeleians, that should decide the top-spot. In the new structure, top place means a promotion of 2 divisions (and prize money!); second place means a promotion of 1 division, (and NO money). Great stuff Marcus and the Second XI.
Down at the Freman Oval, 96 by Rob Willoughby and fifties by Mike Robertson and Pete Baker put the Thirds in a strong position reaching 266 for 5 against Potters Bar. The notorious quick-paced and fast-scoring venue was then the setting for an amazing reply of 267 for 3 in just 37 overs after being reduced to 40 for 3. All 3 wickets fell to Joe Graves. Relegation continues to loom but Northwood Town could be overtaken if the results go our way in the last two rounds of matches. You can do it Mikey and the boys!
Hertford were the Fourth XI’s opponents on the meads at nearby Hare Street & Hormead CC. Even on this smallish ground, Hertford could reach only 122 for 9, three wickets for Ollie Mansfield. Veteran Reed batsmen, Paul Garrott, (undefeated on 50), Bill Mansfield and Alan Ward then ensured the victory and retention of 1st position of Regional Division C East as they ran home winners by 8 wickets. In these geographical divisions, promotion will be to the “B” level. There is one game each remaining for Reed and second-placed Harpenden so those matches crucially will decide the final placings. Similarly, first position attracts prize money; second place doesn’t. We know what we would prefer, but this has been a fantastic season for Lloyd and his team-mates and they have earned congratulations from us all.
In a rain-affected match at Reed on Sunday, Marcus Baker’s team had a comfortable win over Camden (Cambridge). In their interrupted innings Camden scored 124 for 4 in 27 overs, Matt Giblin taking 3 of them. Allocated just 25 overs in reply, Reed needed only 16 of them to reach their target after Marcus Martin and Rob Lankester each notched-up half-centuries giving Reed victory by 6 wickets.
Expect Match Reports to follow shortly.
PGB
