Despite the prolonged rainfall on Friday / Saturday, only 5 matches out of the entire programme of 133 Herts League matches were cancelled. The new covers at Reed are proving their worth, and the old-style ground sheet covers were employed at Freman College which meant matches began on time.

At Reed, the Firsts had a well-earned victory over old rivals, Botany Bay, and moved one position up the Championship Table. There were 3 wickets each for Jack Tidey and Toby Fynn as the Bay were restricted to 203 all-out. Then slowly but surely, Reed made the required target in the 60th over. Chris Jackson provided the glue to the innings making 65 not out as Reed lost 7 wickets on their way to the win.

One of the 5 games cancelled was Welwyn Garden City’s home match versus Old Cholmeleians in Division 5B. Old Cs were top of the table prior to yesterday’s round of matches, but by being awarded only 10 points for their “No Result”, Reed Seconds were able to leap-frog them once they had demolished Ickleford for 82 and won by 6 wickets. They are now in 1st place with a lead of 8 points. The bowling credits go to Pete Tidey and Karl Ward who again had 3 wickets each, then Rob Lankester remained calm at the crease to score 39 not out as Reed overhauled the target within 22 overs.

In the Third’s match against Great Gaddesden at the Freman Oval, the visitors scored an under par 222 for 9 in their 53 overs. 3 wickets fell to Will Stock who then scored 67 in the run chase that followed. Old-timer Peter Baker hit 62 but from a good position to press for victory Reed lost their remaining wickets and were all-out for a disappointing 197 and losing by 25 runs.

Another veteran featured strongly in the Fourth’s away fixture at Datchworth. Ian Roberts bolstered Reed’s score with 59 out of 161 all-out then captured 4 wickets as Datchworth were shot-out for 114 in reply. Reed’s Fourth XI remain in 1st position in Regional Division C East with only five matches left.

The weather had the last word as the forecasted rain on Sunday put paid to the home friendly against Headstone St. George who had replaced our original opponents, Forest Gate.

Expect Match Reports to follow shortly.

PGB