Reed brought good league form in to this end of season friendly against Hemel Hempstead. Reed with a mixture of experience and youth found themselves up against a very strong Hemel outfit including their ex 1st XI skipper.

The home side won the toss and decided to bat first. Richard Johnson opened the attack with Rupert Martin. It was Johnson who struck first getting some extra bounce to get Clarke bought behind for 8. He struck again in his next over to leave the home side 17-2. Martin bowling well at the other end was unlucky not to get a victim of his own having a sharp chance dropped at slip. Johnson ended with figures of 2-35 and Martin 0-29 from his 6 overs.

Hemel had reached 70 before Jason Archer struck twice in the space of six runs to leave the home side 76-4 and looking in a spot of trouble, but then a partnership of 114 put the visitors on the back foot once again. James Heslam finally made the break through having Korn well caught by Peter Baker for 54. Baz Curtis was surprisingly brought on an also picked up a victim having Collman bowled for 8. Hemel declared on a challenging 224-6 with Dale not out on 70.

Openers James Heslam and Peter Baker knew a good start would be needed if Reed were to have any chance and they didn’t disappoint. Despite some tight bowling, Heslam was soon in full flow and dispatching the ball to all parts. Baker was not to be left behind and hit a huge 6 landing in the pavilion roof. The home side looked shell shocked as every bowling change got the same treatment. Baker was first to go, stumped, for 52 in just 65 balls.

Heslam looked to be heading for a deserved 100, before he was bowled for 87 from just 78 balls which included 12x 4s and 2x 6s.

At 144 for 2 Reed looked in command, but that was suddenly 174-5. Baz Curtis had come in kept the tempo set by the openers going. Taking a liking to Dale’s off spin he hit him for 3 consecutive 4s in one over and then 2 sixes in the next.

Reed lost 2 more wickets, but Reed were not going to be denied. Baz was 40 not out from just 25 balls and Reed had won by 3 wickets.

Afterwards Skipper Simon Jackson said, “I am very proud of the lads. That was a strong Hemel side with a mixture of 1st teamers and 2nd XI players. We had 3 colts and a very mixed side. They weren’t overawed by the oppostion at all.”