Saturday saw Reed 1XI begin their Division 1 campaign at Hitchin, following their promotion the previous season, with a loss at Hitchin by 4 wickets.The season saw the arrival and Herts League debuts of Australian batsman Joe Curk from Newcastle in New South Wales, left arm spinner Bernie Morss and fast bowler Lee Johnson.However, despite promising signs for their new Division 1 campaign, Reed were unable to muster the momentum to force an early season win.  Instead they took away a healthy 14 points.On a solid batting wicket, Reed skipper James Heslam elected to bat, but must have personally regretted his decision as be tickled an edge to the wicket keeper off D Moore (13-1-60-3) without scoring.  And then, with the score on 7, Chris Jackson was adjudged LDW off A Ranade (13-2-57-2). Reed looked to be struggling, but stalwart Baz Curtis (23) steadied the ship with some grinding cricket, and combined with Joe Curk (87), took the score to a more respectable 65 off only 12 overs.  But Hitchin continued to battle, and when Curtis chased a ball which he could have left, he left Ranade celebrating his second wicket, and the wicket keeper his second catch of the match.  Tom Fulk joined Curk who was beginning to get into his stride, but Fulk was deceived by I Bowyer’s (8-2-31-1) variation as he too found himself trapped in front of the stumps LBW.With the score on 101 for 4, Reed were conscious to use their overs wisely, but allow Curk free scoring reign.  Curk continued in fine form as he destroyed bad balls all around the wicket with sumptuous cover drives, thundering hooks and a solid defence.  Forcing 14 off one over from Bowyer, [...]

Saturday saw Reed lose by 5 wickets to Dunstable on a blustery afternoon at Dunstable.  Having lost the toss, Reed were put into bat, and the decision looked to backfire initially as Baz Curtis took their attack to the sword, slashing a quickfire 41 off only 28 balls, but L Cherry (7-0-40-1) had his revenge as he had Curtis caught at square leg with a hustling bouncer.With Reed on 60 for 1 wicket after only 10 overs, the signs looked good.  James Heslam (55) was also beginning to master some of the bowling, but he could not be supported by Phil Frenay (7), Joe Curk (10) and Richard Johnson (2), all victims of A Wilson (10-3-40-3).  The pressure had been reversed onto Reed who were on 91 for 4.  Simon Jackson (6) in his usual consistent middle order role was unable to add many runs, despite occupying the crease, as he was eventually unlucky to be given out LBW to S Cherry (11.3-2-24-4).  On 105 for 5, the prospect of increasing the total looked bleak, as the weather became even more challenging.  William Clarke (29) occupied some time with James Heslam as they advanced the score to 142 with some confident drive strokes and punishment of the poor deliveries.  But James Heslam mishit a stroke over midwicket to be caught on the boundary after passing his half century in what was a patient and responsible innings of aggression and deft touches.  Clarke continued to occupy the crease with the tail, but Andy Young (1) and Lee Johnson (6) could not muster a strong resistance, and they eventually fell to S Cherry and S Watts (22-2-60-2) who bowled consistently throughout the innings.  Reed were eventually dismissed [...]

Reed travelled to fellow promoted Berkhamsted on Saturday still in search for their first league victory.Reed captain James Heslam won the toss and decided to bat first on what appeared to be a pitch full of runs. Reed’s innings got off to a disastrous start when Baz Curtis was athletically caught at mid off without troubling the scorers. Curtis departure saw the in form Joe Curk arrive at the crease and with the help of James Heslam the pair put on 62 in 13 overs until James Heslam was adjudged LBW of the bowling of Janaway (3-76). Curk carried on with his expert batting performance and deservedly achieved his 3rd league half century of the season until shortly after he was caught behind for a sublime 60 which left Reed at 82 for 3 off 21 overs. A number of useful contributions from the middle order, Tom Fulk (30), Phil Frenay (17) and Simon Jackson (21) saw the score board tick over and a very useful 13 not out from Lee Johnson at the end saw Reed finish up on a very respectable 184 for 8 off their allotted 53 overs.Berkhamsted reply got off to a disastrous start due mainly to fantastic bowling from Reed’s opening pair off Andy Young (3-25) and Lee Johnson (2-18), the pair’s pace and accuracy was too much for the Berkhampsted batsman and left them reeling at 50 for 5 after 18 overs. After the initial demolition of the Berkhamsted top order Joe Curk and Pete Tidey (2-8) took over the mantle and carried on causing problems for the Berkhampsted batsman. Only Berkahampsted captain Herring with a quick fire 17 and Janaway with a hard hitting 23 not out offered [...]