Reed II versus Barley at Reed on Sunday 26th April 2009. This was the first fixture between teams representing close neighbours Reed and Barley for several seasons. Barley used this friendly for their first team to gain some pre-league match practice whilst Reed fielded many of their junior players so it was not surprising that Barley won the match even though Reed were by no means disgraced. Barley batted first and with opening batsman J Walters leading the way with 68 they reached 225 for 6 in 40 overs. Brian Symes, (34), Wallace, (47) and Gurnell (24 not out) contributed runs down the order on a perfect batting pitch. There were wickets each for Reed’s Chris West, Matt Giblin and Neil Haslam whilst Richie Barlow took 3 for 46 supported by some fine fielding and catching. The Reed reply started well enough until Will Heslam was caught for 10. George Greaves, (20), joined captain Peter Baker, (31), as they progressed the score to 70. By this time, Richie Barlow was showing his all-round qualities and was supported successively by Richard Robertson, (12), Marcus Baker, (15), and Kallum Ward, (15 not out), as Reed II took the attack to Barley. Realistically, Reed were always behind the required run-rate, nevertheless ending on 185 for 6 was a competent batting display against a useful Barley bowling attack for whom Wallace and Gurnell took 2 wickets each. Barlow scored 8 fours and ended undefeated on 54. Barley won by 40 runs

Reed Sunday Seconds hosted Aston at the Green for a 40/40 friendly. Reed batted first and made 258. After an early loss John Kershaw and Robert Willoughby began to put runs on the total as the pair notched up several boundaries. 81 was on the board when Reed lost Willoughby for 31 runs made up of seven fours. John Kershaw also hit the ball hard in his impressive innings of 67 (8x4, 3x6). Kallum Ward then dominated the crease with Maseeh Naeem (30) but was unlucky not reach his half century falling for a well played 49. Runs came down the order from Julian Fynn (10) and Matt Giblin (16). In reply most of the Aston top order got starts but could not hold out against the Reed bowling talent. Neil Haslam (8-3-26-1) and J. Fynn (4.4-0-22-1) both took a scalp each whilst M. Naeem took 4 for 23 and Christian Martin made his tally for the weekend nine with bowling figures of 4 for 31. Reed bowled out Aston for 156.

Reed’s Sunday seconds racked up their fifth consecutive victory by bowling out Aston on the last evening of May. Peter Baker won the toss and decided to bat and after an early upset the Reed total started to tick by rapidly. George Greaves, yet again impressing with the bat and Marcus Martin, vacationing in the seconds, found little trouble in the host’s bowling as they put on 107 together for the second wicket which fell when Greaves (51) missed a straight one. Martin continued regardless and passing his fifty contributed to another partnership, this time with Matt Bowles (35) who played some fantastic shots to antagonise Aston. However, a reoccurring injury interfered with Bowles’s innings and he retired hurt. Martin could not quite reach his century as he was run out for a marvellous 94. A flurry of runs from the hard hitting Phil Frenay (45 not out) and James Bloor (12) ended Reeds innings of 294 for 5 from 40 overs. Aston never had a real chance in their innings thanks mostly to the Reed bowling talent who kept a tight line. Christian Martin (7-0-19-2) picked up some much deserved wickets, as did Chris West (7-0-26-1), James Bloor (6-0-29-1) and Peter Baker (0.3-0-2-1). But it was yet another dominating spell of bowling from Jack Tidey (6-0-28-5) who tore through the opposition order. Impressive catches from P. Frenay, G. Greaves, Ed Blissett and a tidy stumping from Marcus J.E. Baker had the players soon enough returning to the pavilion as Aston loss their tenth wicket in the 27th over for 107 losing by 187 runs.

Reed hosted Woodcutters in 40/40 friendly at the Green, Captain Peter Baker won the toss and put the visitors into bat. Although they soon picked up their first wicket the decision to field first soon looked like a bad one as opener Isaacs (72), Devine (31), Berndes (48) and Szemiako (49) all took the Reed bowlers on and later, with the added annoyance of Connonly hitting 23 in the lower order, the Reed side were looking at a target of 263. The wickets were spread amongst the bowlers but Jack Tidey with figures of 8-0-18-2 stood out.In reply Reed had many good batting performances notably from Tom Greaves (22), Mitchell Cooper (32), Jack Tidey (33*) as well as George Greaves top scoing with 46 and who once again fell just short of a half century. Despite this Reed were unable to chase down the high total thanks in part to the bowling of Clifton (8-1-24-3). Reed lost by 76 rus as they were all out for 187 runs.

Reed Sunday Seconds hosted Thorley at the Green for a 40-over friendly which had an exciting climax. Reed won the toss and put the visitors into bat.Rooney (43) and Woolman (36) stood out for the Thorley batting order as they top scored in the total of 161 for 9 from their 40 overs. Bowlers George Greaves (8-0-24-4) and Keiran (KK) Ward (6-2-13-3) performed impressively with the ball and were supported well in the field.In reply K.K. Ward (14) and Peter Baker (34) got Reed going with some fine hitting. Other good batting performances by Greaves (23) and Kallum (KL) Ward (14) added to the total along with top scorer and ever improving Mitchell Cooper weighing in with 39. The victory was left to a final battle with Sean Tidey (8*) and Ollie Smith (2*) getting Reed home with one ball spare.

Fensome (52), Gadsby (79), Cole (22) and Gillett (22*) led the way for Waresley as they posted 222 for 8 in their 45 overs in a friendly at Reed at the Green towards the end of the season.In reply Reed provided their own impressive performances notably by Fergus Martin (35), Tom Greaves (27), John Kershaw (19) and Mike Robertson (25) plus 11 by Will Heslam who batted at number 10. But the bowling of Cole (7-0-38-7) was too much for Reed who ended on 148 all out , losing by 74 runs.

A Development League game against Sawbridgeworth saw some impressive batting performances by Reed’s up-and-coming stars. Batting first, Reed carried on after an early loss, with George Greaves (22), Matt Austin (26) and a hard hitting knock from Tom Greaves (46) including 8 fours and a 6, gave Reed a strong platform to reach a large total. ‘Bunker’ Hazzard (26*) also asssited as Reed closed on 193 for 9.However, the Reed bowlers lacked penetration and had trouble taking wickets when they mattered. Julien Fynn took 2 for 51 and Fergus Martin 2 for 22, but Sawbridgeworth made their way steadily to 194 for 6 and a win by 4 wickets.

In the Development XI match against Potter Bar, the hosts batted first and reached an impressive total of 212 for 9, Rowlands (82) top scored supported by Taylor (21) who with Titmuss (33) put Potters Bar in a strong position by the close of their innings. Jack Tidey (8-1-33-3) and Will Heslam (8-0-51-3) werethe pick of the bowlers.In reply, there were useful batting performances from Darren Radford (22), Julien Fynn (36*) and top scorer John Kershaw (51 retired not out) with an additional low order contribution by Heslam (16). Overall there was plenty to demonstrate Reed’s potential but on this occasion, Reed fell 34 runs short with 8 wickets down.

The conference friendly with Nazeing Common II ended with a Reed victory but several hurdels had to be overcome.  Firstly the matter of the weather which was forecast for less than cheery conditions.  Also the lack of a full eleven upset the usual pre-match preperations of captain Peter Baker, who after ringin around eventualy went out to the suprisingly firm table for the toss, which he won.Electing to bat seemed a good choice as openers Tom Greaves (53) and George Garrot (69) flew out of the blocks.  Greaves with some hard hitting attacked the bowling talent and by the fall of the first wicket in the tenth over Reed were already on 68.  Garrot now joined Marcus J.E. Baker (12) could not continue in the same fashion but never the less kept a good run rate going, roatating the strike and knotching up some nice boundaries.  With the score on 102 from 18 Baker tried to smack a straight one and was sent back to the pavilion.  But this only allowed Mitchell Cooper to come the crease, supporting Garrot to his half century he then took charge after Garrots dismisal. Garrot was bowled by Sean Tidey (5-0-29-1) on loan to Nazeing.  Cooper (73*) batted beyond his years in a fine performance supported by Fergus Martin (21*).  Reeds forty overs done, the posting of 259 for 3 seemed a tall order for the Nazeing side.Jack Tidey (6-1-21-2) took the first wickets of the innings with two consecutive balls.  Other opener Julien Fynn (7-1-23-1) took the third wicket with the Nazeing score on a shaky 23.  But Waters (31) and J. Grewal (69*) showed impressive resistance adding 81 for the next wicket, within this period though the [...]