Chris Jackson pushed his season's league average to over 100 on Saturday against Holtwhites Trinibis by smashing 135*, in similar vein to his 87* the previous week against North Mymms IIs. His remarkable achievement, in oppressively hot conditions, formed the core of Reed First XI colossal 260 for 4 off 51 overs. The home side were unfortunately unable to capitalise on the this total as they just failed to bowl out the opposition, leaving them with 18 points and a moral victory. Losing the toss for the third week, Reed were forced to bat first, and suffering an early blow through a run-out, Reed were reduced to 17 for 1. Tight, nagging bowling by Watson and W.Olam applied early pressure, but Jackson's arrival at the crease saw both James Heslam and the Centurion find their rhythm to build a 2nd wicket partnership of 156. Heslam fell to a yorker by Watson, but his typically aggressive and attacking style saw him amass a belligerent 69. Fill-in skipper, Ray Kingshott (18), Baz Curtis (11) and wicket keeper Stuart Smith (18*) all chipped in to support Jackson to his highest score of the season, and undoubtedly one of his most memorable innings. Holtwhites responded by losing their opener to a magnificent delivery by Berks in the first over, but Hewitt and Ellech (22) bludgeoned several boundaries to demoralise the strike bowlers, Johnson and Berks, and help their side fly to 67 for 1 off 11 overs. It seemed that Reed's fortunes would soon end and that Holtwhites may be able to clinch a victory, until Clarke entered the fray to bowl the dangerman Hewitt (35) with his first delivery. Some sharp fielding saw Ellech run out, but the [...]

REED ROMP TO PROMOTION PLACE Saturday saw Reed First XI bounced into promotion zone, as they squeezed in a crushing 7 wicket home victory against Hatfield Hyde. Other teams were disastrously hit by the soggy conditions, providing Reed with a further advantage. The home side, keen to sustain their promotion drive, and Hatfield desperate for points, ensured the fixture was played. A sudden change in weather conditions slightly dried the wicket allowing Reed to extract maximum seam and swing movement, as they elected to bowl first. Sharp fielding saw Reed also take all their catches, most notably a magnificent effort from skipper Simon Jackson who bagged a skier, and benefit from shoddy running by forcing 3 run-outs. Nevile's top-scoring effort of 20 was in vain because Peter Tidey stole the show with another 5 wicket haul for just 27 runs off 26 overs. This saw Hatfield Hyde reduced to 59-5. Clarke and Berks chipped in with a wicket apiece, but it was Tidey who provided the impetus as Hatfield Hyde slumped to 127 all out off 52 overs, mostly surrendering cheaply to the man-of-the-match's frustratingly nagging length. After tea, Reed were pinned back to 33-2, until opener Heslam opened his shoulders to hit an aggressive 56. In conjunction with Gary Bridge, who himself also thumped a majestic 56*, the 93 run partnership overwhelmed Hatfield Hyde, as Reed surged to another victory with over 20 overs to spare. Reed now lie unbeaten for 8 weeks (including 6 victories), and comfortably in line for promotion at 3rd equal, after rocketing 7 places since last week. Boxmoor are set to face Reed this coming Saturday.

Despite a superb bowling display from Graham Wilson Reed could not bowl out Harpendon IIs and win at home on Saturday. After losing the toss and being put in Reed lost Curtis and Blissett with only 24 on the board. However this bought together James Heslam and Chris Jackson. The 2 ex-county colts slowly repaired the damage as well as seeing off the new ball. With rain clouds looming the 2 batsman accelerated the run rate and Heslam reached a chanceless 50 with Jackson following shortly after. Then after putting on 170 for the 3rd wicket Heslam was caught behind for 93. Reed finished on 230 for 6 with Jackson undefeated on 87. In reply Harpendon got off to a solid start before Graham Wilson took 2 quick wickets. Harpendon continued to build partnerships but Reed managed to break them ever 20 or so runs. However Reed ran out of overs with only 2 wickets outstanding, with Harpendon scoring 199 and Wilson finishing with best ever 1st team figures of 4 for 29.

Reed crashed to defeat against a strong Clifton bowling side on Saturday.After winning the toss and batting Reed lost influential openers Baz Curtis and James Heslam with only 10 on the board. Reed then tried to dig in to repair the score but lots of seam movement, swing and unpredictable bounce saw Clifton rip through the Reed batting line-up. Only Ed Blissett with 26 offered any resistance for Reed as they were bowled out for 56. In reply Reed got the early break through with Michael Berks removing Leech for 2, however with only a small total and the Clifton batsman riding their luck Clifton won with 8 overs to spare.

Reed First XI, once found languishing at bottom of Herts League Divisions 4, have stormed to 11th place, after recording their third successive victory on Saturday away at Clarendon. Losing the toss, and put in to bat, Curtis and Heslam gave Reed a solid start recording scores of 34 and 53 respectively. When they both fell to Clarendon's opening bowler, Chris Jackson (38) and Geoffrey Wornham (40) adopted their roles patiently building a solid total. However, a flurry of wickets saw Clarendon regain control, and perhaps able to restrict Reed to under 200. However, some sharp running between the wickets and big hitting particularly by Stuart Smith (19*), ensured Reed could declare for 208, bagging an extra 3 overs to dismiss the opposition. Some tight opening bowling by Clarke saw him make an early breakthrought for Reed, but it was Berks who stole the show this week, as he, supported by Tidey and Johnson, dug deeply into the middle order with probing accuracy weakening Clarendon's chances of a 30 pointer. Only were the balances tipped towards the home side when Wise smashed an imposing and almost unstoppable .., but an inspired bowling change saw Berks remove the dangerman, putting Reed back into the driving seat. From this point, Berks and Tidey tore through the batting line-up, as clarendon stumbled to 155 all out, with only 3 balls to survive to snatch a draw. The extra overs gained by declaration clearly paid dividends. Berks ended with figures of 5-48, and Tidey with 3-37. The victory represented further evidence of Reed's late bid for League promotion, as they prepare for their clash with North Mymms II this coming Saturday.

A top class team performance on Saturday saw Reed 1st XI romp to their first league victory of the season in the Saracen's Herts League Divsions 4. Chorleywood II's drubbing came with 20 overs to spare as Reed cruised to a crushing 10 wicket win. On a batting friendly wicket, Clarke and Berks reduced Chorleywood to 19 for 3 with early break-throughs, but Fox almost spoilt the party, in his first game of the season for the opposition, hammering a quickfire 54. Yet persistent and calculating fast-bowling by Clarke saw him outwit the dangerman letting Reed back into the game. Berks re-found his rhythm during his second spell removing the middle order with ease, aided by 2 superb diving catches by wicket-keeper Stuart Smith, ending the game with figures of 3-58 off 12 overs. A tailend revolt by Chorleywood batsmen D.Sanchez and Loft saw them compile a semi-respectable total of 162 until Clarke, blasting back into the attack managed to remove them to end the innings with 5-41 off 18.4 overs. Reed were confident in sealing the victory as a weary and confidence-drained Chorleywood failed to bowl a consistent length. Reed's batsmen could rest their feet whilst Curtis smashed a chanceless 69* in partnership with James Heslam's bludgeoning 76*. In an innings marked by some faultless boundary shots, Chorleywood battled until the end in the field, but fell victim to a beligerent bowling and batting performance by Reed, allowing them to prepare for their forthcoming fixture against Totteridge brimming with confidence.

It was Reed Frist XI's local league clash of the season on Saturday, as they played away to Braughing, who are in desperate need of a win. It was Reed who prospered, as skipper Simon Jackson steered his side to a crushing 8 wicket victory over Adrian Jackson's men, who now lie languishing in relegation zone. But whilst it was Simon Jackson who snatched the spoils of victory, Michael Berks was the central Reed figure who spearheaded the humiliating assault, by snatching another 5 wicket haul for a mere 34 runs. The Braughing top order of Manser, Gerrard, Radbourne and Chambers Jr. all clearly struggled against some venomous new ball bowling. Combined with Clarke (13-6-30-4) at the other end, Berks reduced the home side to a mocking 36-7. Backed up by some first class fielding, it took just 27.2 overs to demolish Braughing for a paltry 65. No batsman settled, not even the captain who registered his second successive league duck against Reed in 2 seasons. Reed's reply was in stark contrast to Braughing's effort, with Curtis (29) and Heslam (24) opening in typically aggressive fashion to forge a solid 44 run first wicket partnership off 9 overs. The highlight was undoubtedly Heslam's 10 run binge off ex-Reed Colt Chris Chambers' first two deliveries. With menacing clouds gathering on the horizon, and imminent rain, Reed in their hurry lost two unnecessary wickets. Gary Bridge and Chris Jackson polished off the required runs with ease. This now marks the seventh week where Reed lie unbeaten in league cricket (5 victories, 2 winning draws), and a continued period of misfortune for the Braughing bunch who are now struggling to stay afloat in Division 4.