Headlines – 1st / 2nd August

Top-of-the-table Totteridge Millhillians held their nerve as the Heslam Brothers valiantly chased the target of 263. William scored 81 and James 51 but then wickets fell regularly and when Sean Tidey departed for an exciting 41, the games was up as the Firsts were all-out for 235. Sean Tidey and Phil Lill had earlier taken 3 wickets each. The Seconds had no difficulty completing the double over Welwyn Garden City on The Green. In a most spectacular innings, Rob Lankester notched-up a maiden century and finished undefeated on 130 out of Reed’s total of 247 for 3. Ian Osborne supported with a sixty. The old firm of Pete Tidey and Karl Ward took 4 wickets each as WGC were bowled out within 29 overs for 101. There was a much-needed thirty-pointer for the Thirds away at Northwood Town. On a pitch of contrasting characteristics, the hosts managed only 91. Down-the-hill Mike Robertson snaffled 4 for 17 before Rich Barlow (24) and Pete Baker (40) put-on 68 for Reed’s first wicket and set them on the path to victory by 5 wickets and another double over their opponents. The Fourths were at Freman Oval against Hatfield Hyde who batted first and closed on 219 for 9. Completing another double, Reed won comfortably by 5 wickets with both Maseeh Naeem and Bill Mansfield reaching scores in the eighties. The Fourths remain top of the Division. The Sunday XI did not score enough runs away at Ashwell. Chris West's best effort of 29 not out gave Reed the chance to defend a total of 141 but Ashwell lost only 3 wickets in pursuit, 2 of them to skipper MJE Baker. Expect Match Reports to follow shortly. PGB