Reed 1st XI and 2nd XI marked an historic cricket season for the club on Saturday as they were crowned unassailable champions of Divisions 3 and 8 respectively, earning hard fought promotion since early May. Simon Jackson's 1st XI, never dropping below 4th place, maintained their professionalism by beating Harpenden IIs by nine wickets in the final league game of the season, and the 2nd XI dominated 1st position throughout the season, enjoying promotion 2 weeks ago. The club's highly successful season was also emphasised by a 10 wicket drubbing over Royston in the Keatley Cup final, and a startling National Village Cup campaign which saw them win a moral victory in the regional semi finals against a full strength, premiership St. Margaretsbury XI despite losing in a tense final ball 1 wicket loss. This is all only a year after the 1XI were won Division 4 of the Herts League in 2002. The Harpenden showdown saw Reed restrict the opposition to 134-9 off 53 overs thanks to some aggressive fast bowling by Michael Berks (15-4-36-2) and William Clarke (11-4-29-2), as well as 2 sharp run-outs by Chris Jackson and a direct hit by James Heslam. Some typically accurate inswing by leading club wicket-taker and icon Peter Tidey (9-4-16-2) and controlled spin by Richard Jerome (17.5-5-44-1) added further pressure to the Harpenden batsmen. D.Karunaratne (56) released some steam with a few aggressive strokes dragging the hosts to their total, but Reed's solid reply saw James Heslam (70) and William Clarke (44*) forge a 127 run opening partnership, against some particularly testing seam bowling by P.Frost (10-0-36-1). With Heslam's untimely removal, Baz Curtis completed Reed's quest hitting the winning runs to the boundary cueing a champagne [...]

Reed 1st XI maintained their unbeaten Herts league momentum on Saturday as Simon Jackson led his team to another successive 8 wicket victory against County Hall at home. Winning the toss and electing to bowl first, Reed drew first blood in the hot weather as William Clarke (14-3-33-3) snared opener W. Archer for 4, followed swiftly by their number 3 A. Devine for a duck. Michael Berks (14-3-40-3) also chipped in with a couple of crucial early wickets, principally the left-hander R.Hale (31) who posed a significant threat to Reed's dominance. Richard Johnson (9-3-26-2) also contributed with 2 wickets, thanks to one of 2 blistering slip catches by Richard Jerome (12-5-17-2). Jerome also contributed significantly with the ball helping to restrict run-scoring from one end, allowing Berks and Clarke to make inroads at the opposite end. County Hall were eventually bowled out for a meagre 121 in 50 overs, despite favourable batting conditions. Despite an early loss on 20, Reed's victory never looked in doubt as Baz Curtis, fresh from his National Village Cup century last Sunday, registered a majestic 73*, earmarked with strong cuts and 2 sixes over extra cover and long-off. Curtis took a particular liking to County Hall's fast bowler A.Szermiako (4-0-37-0), as he sent the new ball to all corners of the green. Chris Jackson (32) again offered solid support, until he was dubiously adjudged run out as he neared his half century, earning County Hall another point. It took Reed only 20.2 overs to surpass the opposition's effort registering their fifth successive league victory this season, and extending their unbeaten league-run from June last year. The 1st and 2nd XI lie top of divisions 3 and 8 respectively following the [...]

Reed 1st XI maintained their momentum on Saturday by trouncing local rivals Cottered by 9 wickets in Herts League division 3. Having won the toss and electing to bat, Cottered began well, reaching 31 for no wicket, but openers Clarke (3-19), and Berks (2-14) soon managed to tear through the top order. Combined with the sharp run out of N.Beer by Chris Jackson, Cottered were left floundering. Reed new-comer, Richard Jerome (1-8), slowed the scoring at one end, whilst Richard Johnson (1-6) and Ray Kingshott (2-0) made inroads at the other, leaving Cottered stranded on a woeful 56 all out in 41.3 overs. Reed's reply was typically aggressive, as their skipper, Simon Jackson (35*), began in particularly attacking style. Michael Curtis was unluckily run out with a direct hit from the boundary, but in combination with Chris Jackson (9*), the brother's closed the innings comfortably in 14.3 overs. This marks a second successive win for Reed's 1st XI and 2nd XIs in their first two league games, placing them equal first in division 3 and 8 respectively. Simon Jackson, 1st XI captain said: "...it's heartening to begin the club's season in such a positive manner, which places us in a comfortable position for league promotion at both 1XI and 2XI. Combined with our recent successes in the National Village Cup, Reed have failed to lose a match at all levels this season!"

Reed 1st XI race to Division 2, which would mark their second successive league promotion in two years was strengthened on Saturday as they crushed Bushey by 7 wickets away on Saturday. Reed was also celebrating the 2nd XI winning Division 8, ensuring a double club league victory if Simon Jackson's 1st XI beat mid-placed Harpenden IIs on Saturday. Despite returning that morning from a physically arduous club tour to Nottingham, Reed maintained their professionalism as they justified their decision to bowl first. Michael Berks (11-3-34-1) made an early breakthrough with the score on 8. William Clarke (13-4-15-3), then had opener Devan superbly caught at point by James Heslam. Clarke continued to remove their number three thanks to a sharp chance which was held by Baz Curtis at second slip, and their number 5 Zahid with a caught and bowled chance. With Berks tiring, Reed's 1st XI leading league wicket-taker Peter Tidey (14-6-26-4) assumed the mantle of responsibility beginning with a crucial wicket maiden. Exploiting some variable bounce and favourable swing conditions, he tore through the middle order with ease. With two late wickets by Richard Jerome (5.4-2-5-2), Bushey were always struggling to challenge as they amassed a paltry 94 all out. A testing spell before tea saw James Heslam (15) begin strongly, but an unpredictably low ball had him trapped LBW from opener Nabil (5-0-34-1). The tea-watchman, William Clarke, again promoted from his regular number 9 position to 3, came in with the score on 15-1. He partnered Tom Fulk (6) before the interval, until Fulk was unlucky to be adjudged LBW the over before tea. After tea, Clarke (41*) strengthened his position and opened his shoulders as he capitalised on some overpitched deliveries, [...]

Reed slumped to an unlikely 53 run away defeat on Saturday as Botany Bay ended their unbeaten run in League cricket since June last year. Reed still remain top of Division 3 despite the loss, 5 points clear of second placed Redbourn. Having won the toss on a damp wicket, Reed were confident of skittling the opposition cheaply. Opening bowler William Clarke (7-1-26-1) made an early breakthrough, but struggled to find his length bowling to J.Sherring (28). It took a mammoth effort by Peter Tidey (26-9-64-5), to breakthrough thanks to some sharp wicketkeeping by Stuart Smith with 2 catches and a stumping. In conjunction with Richard Jerome (14&Mac247;4-30-2), Reed reduced the opposition to an achievable target, despite some aggressive strokeplay by M.Steele (25) and S.Hunt (34), which saw them claw back to 144 for 9 off their 53 overs. Reed's response began in a disappointing manner as B.Rose (10-7-14-5) removed both Reed openers and the middle order cheaply. With their backs against the wall, heavy reliance was placed on gritty innings by Stuart Smith (19) and Gary Bridge (26), who also played some scintillating strokes to all corners. However, D.Wilkinson (11-2-39-3) ended their rebellion as two LBW appeals saw the umpire&Mac226;s finger raised. The tail of Richard Johnson (12*), Michael Berks (6) and Peter Tidey (10) fought hard, but in vain, as the league-leaders capitulated for a meagre 91 and a paltry 4 points. Despite the loss, Reed remained up-beat, as skipper Simon Jackson commented : "We still are top of the league, and we see this as a blip in our League crusade from which we can learn a lot. A loss, at some point, was inevitable, and we probably needed it to keep [...]

Reed further strengthened their bid for league promotion on Saturday as they registered their third successive Division 3 victory over Bishops Stortford IIs at home. The win consolidates their third position, and tightens the top-of-the-table struggle against Hertford IIs and St. Albans IIs. It also marks the third successive weekend where Reed 1st XI and 2nd XI have registered maximum points. Simon Jackson, winning the toss, chose to bat, which proved to be the correct decision as James Heslam, in his first league innings having recovered from a nasty finger injury, build a useful 62, in conjunction with Tom Fulk (34). The Stortford openers were particularly punished by the pair. However, once they were removed, Chris Jackson (43*) and Richard Jerome (90*) were able to take hold of the bowling attack, and amass a huge 231 declared off 46 overs. M.Bashford (18-6-75-0) bowled some particularly testing left arm spin, and was certainly the pick of the Stortford bowlers. The declaration always gave Stortford a sporting chance, which their top order relished as they began in flamboyant style as they began on a very positive not, despatching the Reed opening bowlers to all corners of the park. Opener M.Leaver (39) played some particularly powerful shots until he was adjudged run-out when pushing for a misconceived single in the covers. The slower bowlers, Peter Tidey (14-2-47-4) and Richard Jerome (16.3-10-25-1) managed to extract more from the Reed wicket, as they slowed the scoring rate and took crucial wickets. Every Stortford batsman chipped in, particularly M.Bashford who amassed 50* in very few overs striking 16 in 3 balls at one point to keep the visitors in with a chance. However, with opener Berks (11-1-73-2) coming back from snatch [...]

Reed maintained their bid for league promotion on Saturday as they played league hopefuls St. Albans away. In possibly Reed's most important league game of the season, the visitors excelled, as the result saw them creep in front of St. Albans II to second place. Yet Hertford II still look dominant in first place as they recorded their 10th win of the 14 league games this season. Winning the toss, Simon Jackson elected to bat, and his decision was proven to be wise, as Tom Fulk (7) and James Heslam (71) gave Reed a solid start against some accurate fast bowling from Richard O'Toole (10-2-29-0) and Australian Andy Williams (12-2-45-4) by building an opening stand of 29. Chris Jackson (14) continued to support Heslam well, until he was superbly stumped off Garofall (20-4-29-4). Richard Jerome (30) also offered some gritty batting against the St. Albans attack, especially from Williams, who in his second spell resorted to bowling a collection of looping bouncers and beamers. Reed ended on 175-8 off their allotted overs, yet St. Albans were always confident that it was an achievable target. The Reed bowlers thought otherwise, despite missing opener Michael Berks due to nuptial arrangements. Jerome (19-12-25-4) and Peter Tidey (20-10-28-3) bowled tightly with the old ball removing the top order, leaving St. Albans reeling on 44 for 6. A selection of rash shots and superb catches by the Reed fielders, particularly Chris Jackson and Peter Tidey who were like panthers in the field. Opener William Clarke (5-2-3-2) took the new ball half way through the innings and helped snatch two quick wickets, yet, with the overs expiring, and the score on 88-9, Reed were unable to dismiss the final to batsman [...]