Reed III continued their promotion push with a 143-run win against Chiltern on Saturday. Skipper Allan Ward won an important toss and chose to bat first in this Herts League Division 13 match at The Heath. Steve Lovegrove (64) and Roger Bowcock (12) open

Reed III continued their promotion push with a 143-run win against Chiltern on Saturday.

Skipper Allan Ward won an important toss and chose to bat first in this Herts League Division 13 match at The Heath.

Steve Lovegrove (64) and Roger Bowcock (12) opened the batting with a stand of 58 for the first wicket, and this good platform enabled the middle order to attack the Chiltern bowling, which wilted under a steady onslaught from Rob Willougby (19), Marcus Baker (17), Peter Baker (27 not out) and Allan Ward (62 not out).

Reed declared at the end of the 46th over with a good total of 233-7

For Chiltern, Hampson bowled a marathon spell (16-2-81-4) and was the only threat to the Reed batsmen.

After a long afternoon in the field, the Chiltern innings started badly with a wicket falling in each of the first two overs.

David Hill turned in a fast aggressive spell of bowling, and effectively ended the game with figures of 6-2-2-4.

After this a variety of Reed bowlers were used with each one getting a wicket, and the last man out was bowled with the score on 90 giving Reed a well-deserved win.

Fergus Martin hit an unbeaten 77 as Reed under-15s cruised to victory against Bar Hill last week.

Martin carried his bat, and was given great support by Michael Townsend (68 not out) as Reed scored a massive 189-1 in just 20 overs.

Edward Garrott, the only Reed batsman to lose his wicket, made amends in the visitors' reply, taking 3-2 in four overs, and with Ben Brown (1-20) and Jack Tidey (2-7) also having success with the ball, Hill were restricted to 79-8 in their 20 overs.

The Reed youngsters continued their fine form with victory against Knebworth on Thursday evening.

Knebworth won the toss and put Reed in to bat .

The home side started slowly against some tight bowling from the Leather twins, and after 11 overs the score was 38-3.

But a patient innings exploded into life with Michael Townsend (51 retired) well supported by Joel Walsingham (20), and Reed set a challenging total of 110-5 from their 20 overs.

Knebworth's reply was in similar vein to Reed's, Jack Tidey bowling four overs for eight runs and after 11 overs they were 43-2.

At 77-5 with three overs remaining, Chapman decided to throw the bat, and two fours and a six put Reed under pressure again.

However Ed Garrott kept his cool and bowled the dangerous Chapman for 24.

Knebworth needed 12 runs from the last over, but Fergus Martin took the last two Knebworth wickets, and Reed had won a great match played in great spirit.