THERE were mixed results for Reed as they saw Saturday s game abandoned due to rain, before progressing the National Village Cup the following day. In Saturday s Herts League opener against Flitwick, Reed were bowled out for 127 even after Curtis (46) and

THERE were mixed results for Reed as they saw Saturday's game abandoned due to rain, before progressing the National Village Cup the following day.

In Saturday's Herts League opener against Flitwick, Reed were bowled out for 127 even after Curtis (46) and Heslam (20) again got them off to a good start.

However, a late middle order collapse left all-rounder Will Clarke stuck on 28 not out.

However, before the heavens opened Michael Berks took the wicket of opener Barnes leaving Flitwick at 15-1.

The following day saw Reed cruise past a depleted Wormley side in the first round of the 40-over-a-side National Village Cup.

Despite losing the toss and being put into bat on a drying wicket, Baz Curtis and James Heslam got off to a great start as they raced past 50 in only the seventh over.

Heslam was the first to reach his half-century with a delightful drive through the covers.

Curtis reached his 50 in the 19th over, before being the first wicket to fall half-way through the allotted overs with the score on 137.

Heslam continued to take the game to the Wormley attack, and was ably supported by young Marcus Martin (28) as they put on 66 for the third wicket.

Heslam reached his first century of the season before completing his highest score of 135, which included seven sixes and 12 fours.

Reed finished on 259-5 with Ford the top Wormley bowler taking 3-38.

In reply, Reed warhorse Pete Tidey and Michael Berks bowled very tightly to ensure that Wormley were never up with the run rate.

A Tidey breakthrough led to him taking a further two wickets leaving Wormley reeling at 26-3.

Great ground fielding and superb catches from the young Reed side continued to peg back the Wormley side with regular breakthroughs.

Tidey finished with 4-17 and Reed spin bowler Chris Jackson ensured an early finish, taking three wickets for seven runs in only 13 balls as Reed bowled out Wormley for 75 in 33 overs.

Reed skipper Simon Jackson said "It was great to get the easy win on Sunday with excellent bowling and fielding. The excellent ton by James Heslam again proved different class from everything else on Sunday.

"Team spirit was brilliant and you could see how much all the players enjoyed both games.

"Despite the low score on Saturday, with the attack we have this year, I did fancy our chances of bowling out Flitwick and starting the league season with a deserving win."

Reed II slipped to a 114 run loss at Finchley on Sunday.

Some good early fielding from Steve Dunn and Neal Haslam accounted for the two opening batsmen.

Despite two wickets each from Marcus Baker and Ed Garrott, and unbeaten 40 run partnership for ninth wicket saw the home side reach a challenging 239-9 off their 45 overs.

Basha took Reed's first wicket in the opening over, before Dave Johnson (9) and Rob Willoughby (13) ground it out for a while.

Keiran Ward (16) and top scorer Baker (32) came into bat, but the visitors were dismissed for 125 with eight overs to spare.

Reed under-15s romped to a comfortable victory against St Margaretsbury.

After being put in to bat first, Reed made great use of an excellent batting strip, compiling a total of 121 from their 20 overs.

Main contributors were Tom Greaves who made 37 with some hefty blows, and Ed Garrott who made a stylish 25.

Sam Spencer led the bowling with 3-0-0-9.

St Margeretsbury's reply never really got going as Reed's bowlers and fielders kept a tight lid on the Bury batsmen.

The pick of the bowlers being Mitchell Cooper 1-8 off 3 overs, Ed Garrott 1-12 off four overs and Fergus Martin 1-13 off 4 overs.

This enabled Reed to run out convincing winners. Spencer completed a good all round game for himself making 25 not out.

Bassingbourn started their Cambridgeshire League fixtures at NCI II, but also saw their hopes of victory dashed by the rain.

After losing the toss Bass were asked to bat and found both overhead conditions and a good opening attack hard to score against, Sneesby in particular bowling big inswingers.

Tegg played on and Thompson went LBW to a inswinger, Smith was unlucky with a straight drive only to be caught and bowled by hudson and was soon followed by Robinson and Andrews.

At 25-5 Bass were in real trouble. Ferris joined Pousland and slowly began to build a partnership, and as the ball became older, batting became easier and both batsmen began to find runs easier to come by.

Pousland was the last wicket to fall, making an impressive 42 and Ferris was unbeaten on 54 as the pair posted a sixth wicket partnership of 101, with Bassingbourn finishing on 134-6

At tea light rain began to fall, Bass took to the field looking for early wickets and one soon came as James Robinson had the NCI opener caught down the leg-side by brother Alex in his first senior match as wicket keeper .

As the rain became heavier, Bass found bowling difficult with a wet ball, and after eight overs the game was called off

Hatley & Arrington's scheduled fixture at Steeple Morden on Sunday was called off when the home club were unable to raise a side.

This Sunday, Hatley have another scheduled away fixture, this time against Reed's second team.

Buntingford's Herts & Essex League Division One debut was marred by rain, as their home game against Ilford Catholics was abandoned with the visitors on 12 without loss, chasing 112 to win.