Almost approaching the halfway point in the season and things are going well at Reed.

After a good start, a couple of unfortunate weather interruptions, and a slight blip in form, our 1st Xl are right back on track with 3 x consecutive wins in the SHCL Championship League. This sees them in 2nd place in the League only behind the highflying, flush Hertford, who have “recruited well” over the winter in Australia. To see our team of predominantly ex Reed Colts beating sides such as Knebworth Park 1st Xl and John Emburey led Totteridge-Millhillians is a sight to behold.

Our 2nd Xl also continues to win consistently without having really hit absolute all-round top form as yet. One rain-off and just one defeat to date (when we managed to grasp defeat from the jaws of victory!) and this week see us once again topping our League Table – back to back promotions look on the cards despite the inspiring skipper getting the odd call-up to the 1st Xl.

It’s a different story down in the 3rd Xl where life has become unaccustomedly difficult for skipper Maseeh who has been used to back-to-back promotions and driving all before him. Losing several 2nd/3rd Xl regulars from last seasons Club Membership, and intermittent availability up and down the teams has had a bad effect on our Division 8 team. However, as the College gates close, the sun shines, and perhaps even the Footballers (flushed with World Cup success!!!) might decide to take 2/3 weeks off before the new season starts again in mid-July, I am sure that one way or another the best is yet to come.

In relation to our 4th Xl it is probably best that I keep my opinions to myself, as I know they are not well received in some quarters! Several people are working unbelievably hard to keep this team functioning, but their “Canute” like efforts are being sabotaged both from within, and from the outside, as a general availability issue seems to be striking many of the teams in the very lower Divisions of the SHCL. We actually have a 100% winning record when we have played: Played 1 – Won 1. In terms of the cancellations and concessions we are holding our own, 2- 2 at half time! Availability always strikes hardest at your lowest ranked team and I am told that the younger “Exam Focussed” players are much more diligent these days, and working tirelessly at their books on Saturday afternoons! Really??!! On a Saturday afternoon? Times must be a changing!
Maybe also the regionalisation of the bottom 4 SHCL Divisions, designed to shorten the travelling and the “Match Time” has come about a couple of years too late?
Couldn’t some far-sighted person have proposed it sooner? Oops – I forgot – they did!!

Then on to Sunday Cricket. Things are looking better than for some years. All fixtures have been honoured to date and the Village Cup Campaign is longer this year (!) and going very well. We are into the last 16 in the Country and the team are showing the kind of determination, discipline and spirit that got them to where they got to a couple of years ago! Don’t mention the “L” word!!
Fingers and toes crossed – and off to Worlington in Suffolk on Sunday 6th July.

Several young Reed players are catching the eye and achieving County related recognition. Tom Greaves has been appearing quite regularly for Hertfordshire Stags (U25 Xl) in the last 2 seasons and recently Jack Tidey joined him in a match v Suffolk. Surely Sean Tidey and Will Heslam cannot be far behind that pair, whilst anyone who knows anything about Herts Cricket might wonder how our 1st Xl Captain has not had any “enquiries” about his availability for the Herts County set up in recent years? Maybe a few more 50’s batting with the tail at No10 when injured on the Knebworth “stage”, or a few more 70’s when watched by Nigel Wray (SHCL Sponsor) and John Emburey might raise some peoples awareness?

Administratively our Club remains strong with no shortage of volunteers to undertake the necessary tasks. Our ground continues to be magnificently manicured by the now retired “Robbo”. It is immaculate and inviting, whilst our well stocked bar continues to be well patronised by the cognoscenti and the occasional football supporters (all foreign now!)

The Sun is shining. Reed are winning at Cricket and “All is well with the world”!!
(Don’t mention the Test Team!!)

JQH

(This Weekly column is written by John Heslam Club Chairman of Reed Cricket Club. The views expressed in the article are his own and do not necessarily comprise those of the Clubs General Committee)

Addendum:

Some noteworthy comments uttered at Reed by spectators during the last week:

1). Wednesday : JQH to RB:

“That’s it then! The game is in the bag!

(Reed need 30 to win in 7 Overs with 7 wickets in hand v Bayford & Hertford (and Friends!) in the Isabel Hospice Cup).

2). Sunday: TT to JQH:

“I’ve never actually seen your James score any major runs for Reed…

(At the start of Reeds NVC batting reply v Sibton Park! JAH scored 108* – 17 x 4’s and 1 x 6!!)

3). Sunday: JQH to Reed Visitor:

“Your Grandsons opening the batting together run so well between the wickets. At times they are almost telepathic!”

(At the start of the 2nd Over in Reeds reply to Sibton Park in the NVC. What happened next? (!!!!***!!)