Will Heslam, captain for the day, decided to put St Albans in to bat and yet again his opening pair didn’t disappoint.

In humid, overcast conditions Julien Fynn swung every ball into the batters, causing havoc and finishing with the remarkable figures of 10-5-15-3. He was well supported as usual by Jack Tidey, whose two scalps left the top order blown away at 39-5. This included a stunning pick up at second slip by Tom Thorpe, the ball travelling fast inches above the ground (See a replay on the Club’s WhatsApp). Steve Perrin gave the score some degree of respectability making 45, but Reed continued to chip away at the wickets. After an expensive start, Tom Greaves switched to his favoured Pavilion end and had a couple with Heslam making a spectacular diving catch at mid-wicket for the second week running. Heslam also picked up a wicket and Ollie Johnson took two, including the dogged Perrin.

Given the difficulties faced by the opposition’s top order and the redoubtable reputation of the two Wills, Jones and Rooney – one of the strongest opening attacks in the division, even 121 seemed a tough ask. Indeed the less well-known Rooney soon had Reed reeling at 29-3, but Skipper Heslam was determined to see them off, only making 6 from 50 balls, but offering nothing to the bowlers. When Greaves rode his luck, plundering 24 with 5 boundaries, Heslam changed gear as the pair added 44 together, When Perrin finally caught Greaves, in came Jack Caine to rifle 21 not out, hitting a mighty maximum in the process. However most credit must go to Heslam for carrying his bat and weathering the storm for a top score of 35. Reed won by 6 wickets in just 30 overs.
Having beaten 3 of their 4 main rivals in successive weeks ( the other one Ampthill was rained off} Reed now sit a mere 3 points behind the leaders Hitchin.