SATURDAY (SHPCL):

EXCITING TIMES FOR REED CC!

The Firsts bowled out Ampthill for 128 with Tom Greaves removing four of the visiting batsmen. Zac McGuigan led the charge to overhaul them with 70 as Reed won comfortably by 5 wickets. Reed are placed 2nd in the Championship with only top-of-the-table Hoddesdon to play Away in the last league fixture next week. It is possible for Reed to overtake Hoddesdon if they win handsomely. Hemel Hempstead are too far back in 3rd place to affect the top two clubs even if they win next week. Should Reed not beat Hoddesdon, they are assured of a Play-Off match against the 9th placed team in the Premiership on Saturday 14th September. That would be staged at Reed and could be against one of three clubs battling for survival, West Herts, Luton Town & Indians and Hertford although mathematically Harpenden could be in the mix as well. All to play for!

“Champions-in-waiting”! Reed Seconds cannot be caught by Watford who are 35 points behind. After losing only 4 wickets chasing-down Flamstead’s 125 all out, Reed remain top of Division 4B and will face Ampthill who are in ninth position on The Green next Saturday. Karl Ward featured for Reed taking a “five-fer” and James Sandford also claimed 3 wickets. Rich Barlow was top-scorer. This is a magnificent effort from all those involved in the Second XI’s campaign this season. Well done!

The Thirds lost to Rickmansworth by 19 runs, being all out for 142 chasing 163. There were 3 wickets apiece for Kieran McKinna and Ollie Sayers whilst Richard Johnson scored 36 in the reply but the other contributions didn’t make quite enough runs. This puts Reed back to “fourth” place in Division 10A but we must ignore Southgate Compton who are top but cannot be promoted. Bentley Heath (410 points) are 2nd and Bushey (341) are 3rd. Reed has 339 points. The best scenario is if Reed beat lowly Ickleford at the Freman Oval next week and Bentley Heath beat Bushey so that Reed can overtake Bushey to claim the second promotion slot.

All the current standings can be seen on the SHPCL website www.hertsleague.co.uk under the heading “Tables”.

SUNDAY: The fixture against Little Hadham was cancelled.

Expect Match Reports to follow shortly.

Don’t forget the End of Season Fancy Dress Party next Saturday evening after those potentially exciting matches have concluded.

PGB