Reed-veteran Peter Tidey snatched an overdue 40th birthday present on Saturday, as he recorded his season's best haul of 7-33 off 19 overs on Saturday. Reed dominated throughout over top-of-the-table Totteridge in Herts League Division 4, after arriving as clear underdogs. Showing their pedigree, Reed skittled the League leaders for a mere 74 runs. Taking advantage of a lively green wicket, Tidey's pin-point accuracy made it difficult to bat with any consistency, forcing the Totteridge batsmen into some rash strokes. Only Leaderman (25) offered any resistance, but he too fell to some intelligent and mature bowling, as Tidey plucked a stunning catch off his own bowling - clearly to the surprise of his team-mates too! The fielders supported these heroics well by holding all chances and ensuring runs were kept to a minimum. In reply, Reed suffered from early jitters, as Poland also extracted some steep bounce to help reduce the away side to 17-3, giving Totteridge the chance to sneak a victory. However, this plan was thwarted as Chris Jackson engineered an imposing 45, despite the lively bounce and movement, to shatter Totteridge's confidence. It was perhaps fitting that Geoffrey Wornham, who patiently supported Jackson's innings throughout, blasted a six to end the match allowing Reed to record their second successive League victory - a marked U-turn from their recent spate of poor form. In response to the thrashing, Reed CC Press Officer, William Clarke, commented: "This was a truly stunning performance by Reed, reflective of our form last season. If we can perform as we have done in the last 2-3 weeks, promotion could be within our sights."

Reed First XI were robbed of a victory on Saturday by some determined and focused batting by Luton Town IIs to save a draw. Still faltering as bottom of the league, Reed posted a mammoth score of 232. In a return from usual fortunes, the top order of Chris Jackson (61), Geoffrey Wornham (55), Gary Bridge (32) and Baz Curtis (51*) performed solidly to tire the Luton bowlers. A probing opening spell by Richard Johnson (1-27) and Chris Jackson (2-36), saw Luton suffer from early losses, keeping Reed in with a chance of victory. Further supported by Clarke (2-28) and Berks (1-33), Reed continued to cut through the opposition's line-up, but were thwarted by some defensive and sensible batting by young Dhaval (35*), who guided his side to a draw. Toiling until the close of play, Reed worked as an effective unit against some negative batting, just missing out on clinching their first League success of the season. However, for the first time of the season, Reed worked together to command the course of the match, and it acted as a positive sign for future league matches this season.

After the glory of a promotion winning league season for Reed First XI the club turned its attentions to end of season friendlies. St. Margaretsbury were the opposition on Saturday. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first. This was looking to be a wise decision as they batted well right through the innings with Pressman making an excellent century hitting the home attack to all parts remaining unbeaten as bury declared on 221-5. Richard Johnson was the pick of the Reed bowlers taking 2-30 with Jim Allsopp and Andrew Emms picking up the other wickets. Bury were in confident mood as they set to the field with a big total on the board, but on the typically good batting surface and quick outfield at Reed the home side were always in with a chance of victory. It was well and truly on as Stuart Smith and James Heslam put on 97 for the first wicket in quick time. Heslam fell for 51 but Smith continued past his fifty with Curtis until they both fell at 135. However, this only brought 1st Team skipper Simon Jackson to the crease and he proceeded to smash 60 not out to win Reed the game with 5 overs to spare. His innings included 3 sixes and was made in no time at all totally demoralising the opposition and maintaining the winning spirit of the club.

Sawbridgeworth 2nd XI beat Reed 1st XI by 94 runs. Reed 1st XI slipped to penultimate position in the Saracens Herts League Division 4 on Saturday after losing by 94 runs to a strong Sawbridgeworth 2nd XI side. Batting first, Sawbo opener Heath and Moseley, solidly supported by Burrall, took advantage of home knowledge and conditions to build a strong opening partnership. Reed battled back to restrain the opposition to 220 runs, with wickets spread between the bowlers. Despite losing 3 early wickets, a powerful 49 by Gary Bridge kept Reed's hopes alive, on a pitch further dampened by pre-tea showers. However, some accurate seam bowling and aggressive team tactics saw Sawbridgeworth shatter Reed's crumbling tail. With only 5 overs to snatch a draw, Simon Jackson's stoical 21 proved to be in vain, as his Michael Berks was victim to a "close" LBW decision allowing Sawbridgeworth to surge to a 30 point victory, further pressurising Reed to position themselves in the league reflective of their potential talent.

Reed Champions of Division Four Champagne flowed and the party continued through the night at Reed on Saturday, as Simon Jackson led his 1st XI side to snatch the spoils of Division 4 glory and promotion at the hands of Sandridge. Reed 1st XI's 12 week unbeaten trend was compounded as they overwhelmed, and aided the relegation of the opposition by seven wickets. Scoring 186-6 off their 53 overs, Reed restricted the visitor's well, despite some powerful shots by D.Kerry (33) and Miller (39), with wickets spread evenly throughout the bowling attack. Reed's fielding was sharp throughout as they again demonstrated their youthful superiority by snatching 2 run-outs and performing some spectacular diving stops. Yet the victory was earmarked by James Heslam's chanceless maiden league century. Having registered a golden duck the year before, he extinguished all doubt by demoralising and dominating the Sandridge bowling attack by classily striking the ball to all parts of the ground. Some solid support from Clarke (28), and C.Jackson (24) clearly aided him in his quest for his 104* but his innings of deft nudges plus powerful pulls and drives was a clear highlight of the league season. More importantly, his first-class innings ensured Reed sealed total command of the league having trailed in bottom place 11 weeks ago. Furthermore, it compounded their 3 month unbeaten purple patch, marked by 10 victories. Reed ensured victory with 10 overs to spare fulfilling a team dream, and forging an historic record-breaking season for the club. Club and 1st XI captain, Simon Jackson, elated with the culmination of a nail biting season, commented after the match "Many sides wrote us off part-way through the season, but we proved that we had the [...]

Reed 1st XI run of poor form continued on Saturday as they fell victims to a strong all round Potters Bar XI, leaving them languishing at the bottom of Saracen's Hertfordshire League Division 4. Bowling first, the Potters Bar's openers proceeded to remove four early wickets making early inroads into Reed's middle order. However, resistance in the form of a patient 55 by Chris Jackson, and 30 not out by Stuart Smith, characterised by some energetic running between the wickets, ensured Reed crept to a vaguely credible total of 124. Defending some accurate bowling from Peter Tidey (2-22), Potters Bar proceeded steadily and consistently with R.Martin (34), Barker (31*), and Coughlan (30*) helping to steer their side to a 7 wicket victory over the hosts. Once again, Reed's batting proved to be brittle, and it will need to improve if they are to avoid relegation this season, or even to secure their first league victory on Saturday against Luton Town IIs.