REED slipped to third in the Saracens Herts League Division 2, but remain hard on the heels of leaders Flitwick and Berkhamsted after a draw against Radlett seconds. And skipper James Heslam said: We were desperately close to winning today. It s really

REED slipped to third in the Saracens Herts League Division 2, but remain hard on the heels of leaders Flitwick and Berkhamsted after a draw against Radlett seconds.

And skipper James Heslam said: "We were desperately close to winning today.

"It's really tight at the top now, but I'm confident we can get promoted.

"I think our target has to be three wins from our last four games."

Winning the toss, and electing to bat, Reed amassed 235-6 off 52 overs, but struggled to take Radlett's final wicket as they battled for a draw.

Going into the match, Reed were top of the league, with the day's play starting well, with Heslam (41) finding his feet and sharing a superb partnership with Baz Curtis (53).

As the pair built up the momentum, Reed raced to 93-0 off just 18 overs.

However, despite an impressive array of shots, Radlett's Paynter (18-3-59-3) and Chaudry (19-4-58-1) began to find their range.

Heslam was then caught at mid-wicket, and Curtis followed soon after when he was trapped lbw with the score on 98.

Chris Jackson (38) and Phil Frenay (10) pushed on, until the latter was also dismissed lbw just as his teammates had hoped for a large score.

Tom Fulk (58 not out) impressed in Frenay's absence, before Jackson was bowled by Nawab (5-0-21-2), bringing William Clarke (10) to the crease.

He started brightly, hitting 10 off nine balls, but was caught at long on, while Fulk punished the Radlett bowlers through the covers.

When Chaudry saw off Marcus Martin (8) lbw, Heslam decided to call in his batsmen after 52 overs.

And the Reed bowlers began brightly as Ed Garrott took the first wicket with the score on eight.

However, despite the best efforts of William Clarke (8-1-37-1) and Peter Tidey (21-3-52-3), Reed did not take a second wicket until Andrew Young (8-0-20-3) trapped Choksi (30) lbw, before taking his second to leave Radlett on 72-4.

But Gray (78) pushed Radlett forward, batting with class and time.

He found the boundaries with ease, until a sharp run out by Heslam sent him back to the pavilion.

Heslam then took a catch at mid-on from a Tidey delivery, with the bowler's second spell also taking the wickets of Chaudry and Khan.

Clarke, also in his second spell, dismissed Paynter, with Heslam taking another catch, which left Watson (0 not out) and Warne (0 not out) at the crease.

As the Radlett pair played for a draw, the Reed bowlers grew frustrated and were unable to take the final wicket.