Reed continue to battle hard in the race for promotion thanks to a dramatic last over victory at Hitchin. Reed won the toss and took the risk of bowling first on a green looking wicket knowing one of Hitchin’s key bowlers was unavailable.The visitors made a decent start with Jack Tidey (3-32), Mitchell Cooper, Tom Greaves (1-68) and Rupert Martin (2-55) all bowling well. This along with another direct hit run out by Will Heslam left Hitchin at 104-6 off 33 overs when the weather intervened. Unfortunately this break which was surprisingly extended to include tea disrupted Reed’s rhythm and when they returned a combination of some lacklustre Reed play and good batting by Hitchin saw the home side eventually make 224-9 off their 52 overs. No.4 Sharma made an excellent knock of 97 not out including some big hitting in the last few overs and he was well supported by No. 8 Neale (41).In reply Reed knew they needed a positive start and they got this to a certain degree at 25-0 off 5 overs. However, both Heslam’s fell soon after for 12. Nevertheless Greaves and Chris Jackson not only repaired the damage but kept the scoring rate up moving Reed along to 93-2 in the 21st over. Although Greaves fell for an impressive run a ball 44 Stuart Smith joined Jackson (37) and another good partnership took the score to 125-3 in 28 overs. By this point the run rate had increased a little to over 6 an over but this was ok as long as Reed’s middle or lower order could bat well. Smith took on the role of anchoring the innings and did so impressively. He was supported by particularly useful [...]

Reed get back on track!Reed returned to winning ways in Saracens Herts League Division One with a very impressive victory over Hitchin 1XI at the green.Following the wet weather, Reed Captain James Heslam was pleased to be put in the field by Hitchin. This proved to be understandable as opening bowlers Lee Johnson (14-2-37) and Mitchell Cooper (13-4-35) produced two excellent spells making full use of the decent bowling conditions. They both found their line early and hit good areas with pace to leave Hitchin in disarray at 10-5 after 10 overs with 4 batsman clean bowled. Hitchin were able to recover somewhat with Kennedy (39) playing a decent knock but the Reed pressure was relentless with Johnson and Cooper completing long spells. Curk and (2-6) and Greaves (1-17) were then being brought into the attack with good effect to leave Hitchin 61-9 and Reed were in dreamland. A last wicket partnership gave Hitchin the slightest of hope taking them to 98 before Cooper removed their number 11. In reply Reed knew a good start would prevent any chance of a nervous chase and that is exactly what they got. Despite testing bowling from Hitchin who have performed well with the ball this season James and Will Heslam batted sensible putting the bad ball away to take Reed to 67-0 in good time. Will Heslam (25) was then removed caught in two minds by a short ball from one of the Hitchin quicks but this only brought Joe Curk (26 not out) to the crease who showed his class to ease Reed to victory supported by James Heslam who remained unbeaten on 43 not out.Reed travel to St Albans next week in search of another [...]

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Match Report To Follow

Reed maintain 4th positionReed came out with a high points scoring draw against Langleybury on Saturday. Captain Heslam was disappointed to win the toss meaning unless the risk of chasing was taken Reed would have to bat first and hope to bowl Langleybury out. The decision to bat first was taken and Reed got off to an excellent start on a good batting wicket and fast outfield. The Heslam brothers took the score to 73-0 in just 14 overs before James was caught for 36. Brother William continued to look good and went on to score an excellent 73 off just 66 balls. In doing so he had helped Reed to 140-2 off just 27 overs with Chris Jackson also batting fluently on his way to 65. The Reed run rate did then drop a little before Mitchell Cooper (36 not out) helped by Jack Tidey (11 not out) added some valuable impetus late on so Reed could generously declare giving Langleybury 49 overs to chase 251.In reply Reed got an early breakthrough with a good catch by Smith off Cooper (1-38). However, Williams played a cameo 26 to put the visitors up with the rate at 49-1 off 10. Jack Tidey (3-33) bowled very well again and struck twice in quick succession to put Reed on top with the visitors 62-3 but a good partnership between Soulsey (61) and Captain Oxley (50 not out) consolidated the score to 135-3 off 31 overs. However, when the rate needed to be increased wickets began to fall and some excellent bowling by all the Reed bowlers piled the pressure on Langleybury. They could only manage 188-8 off their 49 overs with Greaves picking up 4-79 off 19 [...]

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