JAMES Heslam blasted an unbeaten double century to ensure Reed s place in Herts League Division Two. Heslam blasted 203 not out from 277-1 declared to give Reed a 42-run victory against Chorleywood, and move them up to 10th in the 20-team division. He bla

JAMES Heslam blasted an unbeaten double century to ensure Reed's place in Herts League Division Two.

Heslam blasted 203 not out from 277-1 declared to give Reed a 42-run victory against Chorleywood, and move them up to 10th in the 20-team division.

He blasted 30 fours and a pair of sixes as he became the first Reed player to break the 200 barrier, leaving skipper Simon Jackson delighted.

He said: "We were not only delighted with 30 points after a tough couple of weeks, but also delighted for James after watching an innings of pure class.

"His score was the third highest in the Herts League history in all divisions.

"It will surely be a Reed record that will stand for a long time. James deserves it through his ability and what he has put into the club this season.

"We tried to keep Chorleywood interested and, fair play to them, they only stopped going for it when they had their last pair in."

Opening the innings without his regular partner Baz Curtis, who was put down the order to solidify Reed's middle with his experience, Heslam battled alongside Will Clarke (10) in a testing opening spell by Nick Rice.

However, sensible batting ensured Reed retained 10 wickets in hand by drinks at 17 overs, and Heslam was in a position to accelerate the run rate.

It began as he struck 16 in one over. When Clarke fell as he attempted to replicate Heslam's aggressive stance, this only encouraged Heslam to continue in his fine vein of form to send bowling to all parts of Reed's village green.

Chris Jackson - unbeaten on 38 - assisted Heslam well with a crafted innings of singles to allow the dominant Heslam to dominate the strike and assault the bowling.

Despite fielders being posted to the boundary, he continued to score at a fast pace, and put the hosts in an excellent position to declare on 277-1 after 46 overs and give themselves 54 overs to bowl out the opposition.

The Chorleywood innings could not have started worse, as Andrew Young's (3-29) probing pace ensured one of their openers edged a regulation chance to wicketkeeper Simon Jackson with the score on five.

Young's pacy spell continued as he produced countless chances, and when Michael Berks (3-64) came into the fray, he also bowled with deadly accuracy to winkle out the Chorleywood middle order batsmen.

Young and Berks gave the main batsmen a testing time, assisted by some excellent fielding all round, and a couple of wickets from Chris Jackson (2-31),

Reed managed to dismiss star Australian batsman Matt Cullen for 40 as they edged closer to the target of 30 points and booking a place higher in the league.

Of particular note were wicketkeeper Jackson's three catches and a stumping, and an excellent high catch from Marcus Martin and a sharp slip catch from Baz Curtis.

Chorleywood eventually folded for 235 off 51.5 overs, further dampening their season and providing Reed with the boost require to have a last dash at finishing near the top of the table.