REED have been promoted to Hertfordshire s premier cricket league after finishing in second place in the Saracens Herts League Division 2 behind winners Berkhamsted. Despite promotion having been guaranteed, as third placed Flitwick had decided not to ap

REED have been promoted to Hertfordshire's premier cricket league after finishing in second place in the Saracens Herts League Division 2 behind winners Berkhamsted.

Despite promotion having been guaranteed, as third placed Flitwick had decided not to appeal against a league decision to deduct 20 points, Reed aimed to end the season on a winning note.

And they did just that.

In one of their most thrilling games of the season, James Heslam's side hosted and saw off relegation battlers Abbots Langley by just one wicket.

It was the visitors who started the brightest and took some early control with Smith (87) and Porter (16) testing the Reed fielders.

Both Peter Tidey (13-6-35-0) who took 36 wickets over the course of the season, and William Clarke (15-2-62-3), who has taken 28, struggled to unsettle Abbots Langley, with big hitter Carlisle (80) also causing problems.

Young off spinner Ed Garrott (15-3-61-3) restored some order during his spell, with Marcus Martin taking the catch of the season.

However, Abbots Langley managed to set a n From Back Page competitive 222-7 off their 53 overs Reed's reply began with Baz Curtis (14) and Heslam (27) working the ball well before they were both dismissed by two spectacular catches.

Tom Fulk, Phil Frenay, and William Clarke followed, but helped Simon Jackson take the score to 101.

Jackson (63) soon found his feet, and alongside Martin (30) punished some poor Abbots Langley bowling.

When Martin went lbw, Garrott (7) and Richard Johnson (20 not out) added to the runs, with Jackson passing his 200-run milestone for the season before he was sent packing.

Tidey then came and went, with Graham Wilson (4 not out) given responsibility.

Pushing for the win, Johnson drove Abbots Langley's Byrne for six.

Needing three runs with one ball left Wilson then smashed Byrne for four and with that came Reed's 10th league victory of the campaign and a fitting way to celebrate promotion to Division 1.

Captain Heslam said: "I am so proud of the team's promotion.

"It is beyond the club's historical achievements and all our dreams. Everyone did well - we even had three batsmen score more than 500 runs.

"It will be hard next year, as a village club with no overseas professionals, but we consistently manage to up our game to suit whatever opposition.