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 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 [...]

Reed rediscovered their winning ways by beating Bayford and Hertford by 4 wickets, maintaining their healthy 4th placed position in a tight top of the table on Saturday, despite missing their key batsmen James Heslam, due to a prolonged injury, and Chris Jackson. Reed 1st XI skipper, Simon Jackson, won the toss and made the opposition bat, allowing the Reed bowlers to capitalise on a little moisture and favourable swing conditions. Despite this, the Bayford openers began strongly, reaching 21 for no wicket due to some unusually lacklustre by Reed&Mac226;s leading wicket-taker Michael Berks (5-0-37-1), but an important breakthrough by him triggered the start of Bayford's demise. Opening bowler William Clarke (12-7-15-4), emerging from some disappointing recent form, found his perfect line and length accounting for the dismissal of opener N.Sinclair (4) and R.Hogg (6) to catches by Baz Curtis and Stuart Smith. With his first eight overs being struck for only 4 runs, the pressure was building on Bayford to score, which was made particularly difficult thanks to exaggerated swing movement. This pressure came to a head as a needless run-out occured in the 14th over which saw the captain, M.Knowles (25) dismissed after forebodingly finding the middle of the bat earlier with two beautifully struck sixes. With this key wicket, Reed reapplied the pressure as Clarke struck again dismissing middle order batsmen W.Rowe and S.Greenfield for ducks to leave the home team stranded on 56-6. Peter Tidey (10-3-28-3) bowled in conjunction with Clarke at the other end, producing some booming inswingers to pickup 3 of the lower order batsmen. The innings was finally ended as Richard Jerome (2.3-0-7-1) dismissed the N.Burgess (35), the core of the Bayford innings, with a carefully executed quicker [...]

Reed managed to stem their 2 match losing streak on Saturday as they earned a healthy draw against Welwyn Garden City at home, despite fielding a holiday affected under-strength side. They are now placed third in a tightly bunched top-of-the-table Division 3, under Redbourn and St. Albans IIs, whilst the 2XI lead Division eight by 20 points. Electing to bat first, Reed racked up a colossal 253-5 on a blisteringly hot afternoon. Despite an early setback as Heslam fell victim to a freakish ricocheted run out, Reed stabilised the ship with Tom Fulk (24) and stand-in captain Chris Jackson, who went on to strike a chanceless 94*. Baz Curtis, in fine League form this season, also contributed with a typically aggressive 93, batting well with Jackson to build a 3rd wicket partnership of 165. Despite this tough target, WGC were not fazed as they set about their task strongly. Struggling for early wickets on a batting friendly pitch, Reeds bowlers were temporarily overwhelmed by Abraham who registered a flamboyant century packed with blistering cuts and drives. The other WGC batsmen supported him well, all with healthy scores. The signs looked positive for the WGC team as they neared the total, but a flurry of wickets, including the Centurions, primarily instigated by Berks who managed to gather five in the afternoon, slowed the run rate leaving them on 248-8 off their 47 overs. Chris Jackson, skippering for the first time in place of his brother, Simon, commented: Todays match was a close run thing we were striving for the win and trying to keep runs to a minimum, whilst they fought for the runs, mindful of a potential loss. It was certainly a challenging induction into [...]

Reed 1st XI made heavy weather of beating Wheathampstead in their latest Herts League Division 3 match. Skipper Simon Jackson won the toss and took the brave decision to insert the opposition. It looked a good decision when 2nd ball Baz Curtis held a smart slip catch off Michael Berks. Missing new ball partner, William Clarke due to throat problem, Berks took on the added responsibility and bowled well without much luck. Richard Johnson partnered Berks and conceded just 10 runs from his 7 overs. He saw the first of Reed’s 5 dropped catches in the 4th over when Razza was dropped behind. Razza went on to score 22. Reed’s ground fielding was good, but a couple of run out chances were missed. It took a brilliant one handed diving catch by Tom Fulk to get Reed their second success. Peter Tidey had replaced Johnson and took the wicket with the last ball of his first over. Richard Jerome came on at the other end and had Wood (21) smartly caught down the leg side by keeper Stuart Smith the very next ball. Reed looked on top with the score 44-3 and might get through the home sides top order. Unfortunately more runs outs went begging, and along with the dropped catches Reed lost the initiative. It took another 17 overs before Jerome struck again and removed Ranil, LBW, for 30. The home side weren’t setting the world alight with the scoring rate, but were mounting a total that might be a challenge if rain came and the wicket was lively at times. Martin went on to score 52 not out, ably aided by Winchester 34 not out. At the end of their 53 overs [...]