Reed slipped to third in Division 2 of the Saracen’s Herts League on Saturday after narrowly missing out on a victory against top-of-the-table Berkhamsted away.With skipper James Heslam returning from tropical climes, the game was finally blessed with similar weather as it finally felt like the cricket season. Searching for victory, Reed elected to bowl despite missing vice captain Andrew Young due to holiday.Reed opened tightly as Peter Tidey (16-6-55-2) began by pegging their openers B Langley (36) and N Seagrabe (18) in tandem with Graham Wilson (10-1-44-0). But 8 overs in, the skipper made a controversial move by removing the dependable Wilson from the attack and bowling Tidey in conjunction with William Clarke (17-4-40-3). It paid off as the pair tightened runs even more, and Clarke eventually made the early breakthrough having Seagrabe caught behind with a sharp chance by keeper Simon Jackson. The batsman was clearly disappointed with his decision, as the bat was sent skyward in the same manner as a Scottish cabre at a highland games. With Tidey then quickly removing no 3 S Hardy (6) thanks to a sharp catch by William Clarke at mid on, the momentum lay with Reed.When an under the weather B Hughes began opening his shoulders, the situation looked as though Berkhamsted were taking control until Clarke struck again removing Hughes, and new bowler Richard Johnson (10-1-32-1) removed the obdurate Langley together with his off stump. Clarke then followed up with the wicket of Herring (3) and 2 run outs ensued, the highlight a direct hit by James Heslam. Johnson claimed the difficult wicket of P Langley (30), but with I Cambill (28) and L Roberts (7) remaining at the crease, Berkhamsted managed to sustain [...]

Saturday was a bonus weekend for Reed as they bounced back to top of Division 2 with a 54 point boost. Not only did they rout Ampthill away, but also picked up a further 25 points after the Hertfordshire League adjudged Knebworth Park IIs to have fielded an ineligible player some 4 weeks ago in contravention of League rules.Saturday;s game unfolded with Reed fielding a side missing wicket keeper and ex captain Simon Jackson, but this did not hold them back as they dismissed Ampthill for a mere 129 in 42 overs.Despite losing the toss, Reed were asked to bowl on a true but slightly moist wicket. A tight opening spell from Peter Tidey (21-7-40-5) and William Clarke (10-2-31-1) saw the hosts off to a slow start, Clarke exploiting some variable bounce and seam movement in a hostile spell. This eventually brought rewards as he struck L Archer’s (12) off stump with a sharp delivery.With the score on only 23, this encouraged Tidey, who then dismissed P Clark (16) LBW followed swiftly with an uncharacteristic caught and bowled off a well struck ball from D Goul (0). Reeling on 29 for 3 this only brought G Rupping (30) and H Nittle (24) to the crease, as Rupping completed a succession of boundaries of Clarke, then new bowlers R Johnson (2-0-14-0) and Karl Ward (3-0-16-0). It took another special ball from Peter Tidey to trap him LBW. With Tidey in his stride, Andrew Emms (6-0-15-4) was brought into the bowling attack with immediate impact as Chris Jackson snaffled a half chance at mid off to bring new batsmen Esh (3) and Snowden (14) to the crease. But Emms and Tidey broke this partnership as they did [...]

Saturday saw Reed 1XI officially gain promotion to Hertfordshire’s premier cricket league, as they finished with 408 points, narrowly behind Berkhamsted to gain a position in Division 1 of the Saracen’s Herts League, facing many of Hertfordshire’s finest cricketing elite. With 408 points, Reed finished a comfortable 61 points ahead of third placed Flitwick.Despite promotion already guaranteed before the game started, as Flitwick decided earlier in the week not to appeal a decision by the Hertfordshire League to deduct 20 points for ineligible player selection, Reed aimed to end the season on a winning note, and they eventually produced one of the most thrilling games of the season, as their opponents Abbots Langley played a competitive and spirited game, eager to ensure their own survival in the Division.Losing the toss, James Heslam’s team were asked to bowl on a pitch which was distinctly suited to batsmen, and it was shown as Abbots Langley took early control. This was despite their opener C Foster being run out by an uncharacteristic piece of sharp fielding from Richard Johnson at point. However, C Smith (87) and T Porter (16) steadied the ship slightly taking the score to 26. Both Peter Tidey (13-6-35-0) with his season league haul of 36 wickets, and William Clarke (15-2-62-3) with his 28 wicket haul, struggled with the new ball on a true wicket. It took a fortunate inside edge of Porter’s bat to unsettle the visitors, as Clarke bowled him, but this proved a nail in Reed’s coffin as Carlisle (80) came to the crease whose intelligent and measured shot selection around the wicket, combined with Smith’s stubborn play, built a 145 run partnership taking the score to 171. It took the introduction [...]