JAMES Heslam was in fine form as Reed played Baldock in their traditional late-season friendly on Saturday. On winning the toss Baldock chose to field first and Logan Newman took two wickets in his first over. Alistair Jones then got another to leave Reed

JAMES Heslam was in fine form as Reed played Baldock in their traditional late-season friendly on Saturday.

On winning the toss Baldock chose to field first and Logan Newman took two wickets in his first over.

Alistair Jones then got another to leave Reed in some trouble, but that was where the advantage ended for Baldock as James Heslam took complete control with an awesome batting display.

He scored 165 not out of a final total of 272-9 off 40 overs in an innings which had strokes all round the wicket.

Richard Robertson also scored 52 not out as Baldock had a mountain to climb.

Alistair Jones took 3-10 and Newman 2-41.

Baldock's reply was quite lively as pinch hitter Newman scored a quick 33 but they were never in with a realistic chance of winning at any stage and ended up with a creditable 174-6 off their 40 overs, to give Reed a 98 run win.

Rob Cant scored 40 not out, Ranjit Rayat 42 and Jones 32 not out.

Reed followed up Saturday's victory over Baldock with another stunning performance against The Cricketers.

Batting first Reed's class shone through.

Opener James Heslam scored 62 in an opening partnership of 70 with Fergus Martin.

Fergus joined by elder brother Marcus then put on 101 for the second wicket with Marcus out for 55.

John Heslam then fell for a golden duck and Richard Johnson for 16. Karl Ward then joined Martin. Ward hit 54 in 22 deliveries including 24 off the final over, with 15-year-old Fergus Matin carrying his bat for a fine 62 not out.

Cricketers in response struggled against the pace of Young and Johnson. And the introduction of Archer was the nail in the coffin as he ripped through the middle order taking 4-36.

Ward capped a good day by snaring two of the tail as The Cricketers innings closed 82 short on 179 all out.

On Sunday Baldock thrashed North Enfield in another friendly. Baldock batted first and were 0-2 but managed to get to 184-9 off 40 overs with James Peacock scoring 56, Alistair Jones 25 and Tim Dean 19 not out.

In reply Enfield made a paltry 87 all out with Tim Dean taking the remarkable figures of 7-5 from six overs.

- Hatley & Arrington rounded off their season in style with a seven-wicket win over visitors Cokenach on Sunday.

Batting first, Cokenach initially made slow progress before picking up the pace through Peter Clarke (65) and John Ford (32).

The pendulum then swung again as Hatley off-spinner Steve Hooley ripped out the visitors' middle order with a spell of 4-30 and fellow spinner Tim Davenport chipped in with 2-28, one of them through a sharp stumping by agile wicket-keeper Luke Knibbs.

Benny Blackaby scored 26 to give Cokenach a late boost but a fine catch on the deep mid-wicket boundary by Shane Ball ended their innings at 180.

In reply, Hatley got off to a great start as young opener Matt Dixon, called up to replace unavailable heavyweight hitter Steve Warman, struck a stylish 54.

His opening partner, Shaun Davenport, provided solid support, making 38 in a welcome return to form before Phil Hastings hit an unbeaten 43 to help see Hatley home with just three wickets down.