Robbo Rant Reaps Results! – but is the future “Orange” or Bleak!

The operational and management format of our Club is volunteer led. We have a long and proud history and heritage of “self help” club development that has taken us an enormous distance since 1975, away from no pavilion and changing and eating in the Village Hall. Superb Club facilities, a great wicket and well drained outfield, use of a second ground, 4 x Saturday Xl’s, a 1st Xl well established on the very edge of the Hertfordshire Premier League (without a £30K p.a. Budget!), a National Village Cup “in the locker”, and the DVD footage of our Lords Final win based on a team comprising 3 x pairs of brothers and 10 x ex Colts brought up through the club to reminisce over for all eternity!! This is my 36th Year of membership of Reed Cricket Club since my wife Annette and I moved to Royston in 1980. This is my 35th year of sitting on what has always been a responsible, hard working and vibrant General Committee of Reed Cricket Club. I have been Club Chairman, in 2 spells, for a total of over 30 years. In those 36 years we have overseen significant ground, pavilion and facilities improvements, and have always been prudently managed and had money in the bank. In addition to all that, Subscriptions and Match Fees at Reed are ridiculously amongst the very lowest in the Saracens Herts League – but is everything in the garden rosy? Both the Cricket grounds that we maintain and manage play well and always “look a picture”. We are hugely fortunate that somewhere along the line Richard Robertson, who joined the Club within a couple of years of myself, developed an interest in cricket [...]

By |2016-12-27T13:11:36+00:00May 30th, 2016|Categories: 2016, A View From The Chair|Tags: , , |Comments Off on Robbo Rant Reaps Results! – but is the future “Orange” or Bleak!

Disappointing batting display leaves the Thirds miles adrift

Reed III versus Luton Town and Indians IV at Lancaster Avenue, Luton, on Saturday 28th May 2016. For the first 35 overs of this match, Reed appeared to have a firm grasp as the hosts were struggling on 138 for 8. The opening attack of Joe Graves and Josh Conley had bowled with venom conceding only 33 and 34 runs respectively off their 10-over allocations. The change bowlers were more successful as wickets fell to the rhythmic Ian Roberts (2 for 27), and the teenaged pair of Jake Gifford (2 for 18) and Jack Wilkerson (3 for 32). Mike Robertson, then Julien Fynn took 1 wicket each but the LT&I CC final two partnerships had added a further crucial 53 runs, closing on 191 all-out. As it turned out, even 140 would have proved to be too many for Reed to chase. The turbaned slow-bowler, Singh, ran through the top order taking 3 wickets with only Martin Johnson making an impression with 15. Maseeh Naeem again found some form and top-scored with 30 and accompanied by Ben Moody (17) put-up some resistance. However, once they had been removed, the end was close. Dalvi completed a spell of 6 for 27 as Reed totalled just 82 in fewer than 25 overs. Reed III (10 points) lost to Luton Town and Indians IV (30 points) by 109 runs. Report submitted by PGB.

By |2016-05-30T09:16:35+01:00May 30th, 2016|Categories: 2016, 2016 Match Report|Tags: |Comments Off on Disappointing batting display leaves the Thirds miles adrift

King Karl leads team’s Krucial Komeback, 30 for 5 to 30 points

Reed Seconds made the journey to St Albans for the last match of May. Once again availability was poor throughout the club and so the second eleven were giving several players a great opportunity to prove themselves at the slightly higher standard. In the presence of the large, classic pavilion, a throw back to the ‘Golden Era’, Marcus Martin won the toss and decided to bat. Despite a great looking batting track Reed really struggled against the opening bowlers of A. Button and R. O’Toole. Both bowlers were getting the ball to move and table-topping Reed were being humbled by their hosts. Slumping to a disastrous 30 for 5 Reed were in real peril. However, St Albans captain R. O’Toole was forced to take himself off due to a strain as well as A. Button due to age restrictions. This moment proved to be the crucial one of the match. The pressure was immediately lifted as the young first change bowlers struggled to find the right line as wides started to come thick and fast, with extras becoming top scorer. Martin and number 7 Matt Bowles worked hard to save the situation for Reed. Putting on 50 for the 6th wicket when Martin (21) fell. Karl Ward replacing him played some fluid shots early on and he and Bowles continued to fight back adding 56. With each run Reed gained some confidence as they gradually made a total to defend. A single loss of concentration cost Bowles his wicket but his superb innings of 32 was the backbone of the visitors' score. Ward then worked with the tail and in the process reminded everyone of his true all-round abilities with a timely 55. It was [...]

By |2016-12-27T13:11:38+00:00May 30th, 2016|Categories: 2016, 2016 Match Report|Tags: |Comments Off on King Karl leads team’s Krucial Komeback, 30 for 5 to 30 points

A battling 8th wicket stand by Sean Tidey and Mitchell Cooper sees Reed home

Reed plucked victory from the jaws of defeat against Hemel Hempstead. Last year's Premiership side looked to have the game sewn up by reducing Reed to 105-7 chasing 161, but a battling partnership between Sean Tidey (36) and Mitchell Cooper (23 not out) saw Reed home by 2 wickets. Hemel struggled to find any tempo against an economical Reed attack with Mitchell Cooper, Toby Fynn (10-1-23-1) and Reece Fitzgerald (10-1-31-0) all bowling a fine line and length. Only opener, Hemish Llangaratne with a patient 50 defied the bowlers. However, Tom Greaves turned the match with a second spell of 5 overs 4-14. Mitchell Cooper (9.3-1-29-4) then mopped up the tail in the last over to leave the hosts with a modest target. However, Reed were soon in trouble at 4-2, needing the resilience of Rob Lankester and Chris Jackson to build their innings. When Jackson was out for 36 still needing 56 to win with 3 wickets remaining all seemed lost, but first Tidey and then Cooper dispatched the visitors' attack to the boundary to secure a third league victory out of four and maintain Reed's 2nd position in the Championship table. Report submitted by Peter Wholley.

By |2016-12-27T13:11:39+00:00May 30th, 2016|Categories: 2016, 2016 Match Report|Tags: |Comments Off on A battling 8th wicket stand by Sean Tidey and Mitchell Cooper sees Reed home

Headlines – 28th / 29th May

Saturday 1sts: Mitch Cooper had a grand day seeing Reed home in a 2 wicket win after taking 4 Hemel wickets earlier. Skipper Greaves also snared 4 victims whilst Chris Jackson and Sean Tidey scored thirties in the run-chase. Saturday 2nds: A fifty by Karl Ward and a thirty from Matt Bowles rescued Reed from the depths of 30 for 5 to a defendable 195 all-out away at St Albans. The hosts were 44 runs short as wickets were shared round. Saturday 3rds: Luton Town & Indians were also rescued by their last 2 partnerships and should have been bowled-out for 140-ish but in the end totalled 192. Newcomers, Jack Wilkerson (3), Jake Gifford (2) and "old-comer" Ian Roberts (2) claimed the wickets. Reed replied with a disappointing 82, 30 of which came from the bat of Maseeh Naeem. Saturday 4ths: This was an outstanding victory as Preston lost only 4 wickets compiling 206, which at the Freman Oval is well below par. In the second innings, makeshift opener Matt Yates hit 37, Paul Garrott 73 and Sam Deville 73 not out as Reed romped it in just 37 overs. Sunday, Village Cup: Reed won by 73 runs. Phil Frenay and Chris Jackson led the way with the bat scoring half-centuries in Reed's 204 for 9. Northchurch were well short at 131 all out. Reed will be at home to Long Marston in the next round on 12th June. Sunday XI: Meanwhile back at The Green, Ashwell failed to appear for some unknown reason leaving Reed's players amusing themselves with a 6-a-side, 15 over match. Expect Match Reports shortly.

By |2016-05-29T19:54:45+01:00May 29th, 2016|Categories: 2016, News|Tags: |Comments Off on Headlines – 28th / 29th May

Johnson powers depleted Reed to victory

After defeat in their opening fixture Reed IV's welcomed Potters Bar to Freman College in their first home fixture of the season. With just 10 men skipper Bowman opted to bowl first. Jake Gifford (6-0-22-2) opened the bowling and began testing the batsman from the start and with the spin of Martin Johnson (5-0-18-2) tying down the batsman at the other end; runs were hard to come by in the first few overs. Gifford finally got his reward forcing both openers to nick behind to Bowman. Not to be underdone by his fellow opener, Johnson also claimed two quick wickets. Change bowlers Steve Hughes (5-0-22-2) and Bill Mansfield (7.5-0-27-3) carried on the good work from the openers and at 57-8 Potters Bar were struggling. A ninth wicket partnership of 32 then frustrated Reed before Jonathan Adam made the breakthrough and Bill Mansfield then claimed the final wicket following a great catch at square leg by Ben Mansfield as Potters Bar were all out for 108 after 26.5 overs. As clouds began to gather around Freman during tea, it was clear that the weather may become a factor later in the afternoon and openers Johnson and Kieran Willoughby set out to score quickly from the offset punishing anything short or offline from openers Barnes (4-0-29-0) and Sarin (4-0-32-0) to the boundary. Johnson looked in fine form before unfortunately being bowled for 49 as Reed were just shy of the total. Fortunately for Reed as the rain looked likely to threaten, Bill Mansfield (12 not out) and Kieran Willoughby (34 not out) quickly steered Reed side home in just 12 overs. A great performance by a depleted Reed side, for their first victory of the 2016 season. [...]

By |2016-05-26T17:32:15+01:00May 26th, 2016|Categories: 2016, 2016 Match Report|Tags: |Comments Off on Johnson powers depleted Reed to victory

Short by two runs on Sunday

The Sunday XI made their annual trip to Aston with the usual mixture of juniors and "veterans". Aston batted first which suited the Reed fielders. Parker and Cowell got things rolling but had a slice of luck when Jack Childs threw-down the wicket of Cowell from 20 yards only to be judged Not out. Soon after, Childs had revenge by having him caught behind by Bowman. Former Reed Colt, Michael Fox, was number 3 and played well for 27 until driving in the air to be caught and bowled by MJE Baker, the first of 3 wickets for the Reed skipper. Meanwhile, Graham Stuart showed some stamina by bowling 8 straight overs for only 23 runs in his first outing of the season. Thereafter there was a procession of comings and goings as Josh Conley picked-up 3 wickets for 19 and Steve Hughes 2 more whilst Baker made further inroads including another sharp catch from his own bowling. Youngster, Richard Stuart also bowled a good line and length and he was rewarded with a wicket near the end. The Aston innings of 182 had been dominated by Parker who completed a century (108) before Hughes had trapped him LBW. Reed's reply was soon under way as both Peter Baker and Jack Childs (19) found the boundary putting on 60 for the opening stand. Joined by hard-hitting son, Marcus, the score went to 90 for 3 when the elder Baker was caught for 29. MJE Baker hit nine 4s and one 6 then skied one to be caught for 62. At that stage, with 34 required from 7 overs and 5 wickets in-hand, Reed were still in a comfortable position. Strategically placed at number 7, Rhodri [...]

By |2016-12-27T13:11:40+00:00May 25th, 2016|Categories: 2016, 2016 Match Report|Tags: |Comments Off on Short by two runs on Sunday

Martin’s Men Hold Nerve to Secure Tight Victory

The perfect overhead bowling conditions did little to help Reed's guests Hemel Hempstead III at The Green as opening batsman Richard Barlow and Richard Johnson put on a century stand. Having been inserted by Hemel, Reed were keen to bounce back from the disappointments of the week before and so put their trust in two of the club's classiest stroke makers. Both were in imperious form, running rings around the opposition fielders. With the prospect of a big score Reed were in a buoyant mood however the drinks break was enough time to break the concentration of Barlow who fell short of fifty. Johnson and number three Stuart Smith took little time in making up for lost time as Smith counter attacked. With 200 close on the horizon Smith fell to a well taken catch behind by the keeper standing up. Closing in on his maiden second team century Johnson was allowed to be nervous but a mix up between the batsmen after both thought the ball had ricocheted beyond the bowler saw Johnson’s incredible innings end with him just seven short of three figures. With time running out Reeds big final score was diminishing rapidly with some sensible bowling and field placements from Hemel. But contributions from Ed Garrott, M.J.E. Baker and George Garrott saw Reed post a still intimidating 255 for 6. In the second innings, with rain starting to fall, Reed were keen to get through the overs to make sure that if rain did stop play they had enough overs under their belt to constitute a match. Therefore opening with the evergreen Peter Tidey was the skipper Marcus Martin. The ploy seemed a good one as Martin struck straight away. Pete [...]

By |2016-05-25T06:23:25+01:00May 25th, 2016|Categories: 2016, 2016 Match Report|Tags: |Comments Off on Martin’s Men Hold Nerve to Secure Tight Victory

Graves and Naeem efforts in vain as Reed IIIs fall short at Hertford

Reed III’s beat the weather but succumbed to an agonising defeat at Hertford IV on Saturday, despite fine performances from young bowler Joe Graves and experienced batsman Maseeh Naeem. The hosts batted first and made a solid start through Horton and Timms, but Joe Graves (10-5-20-3) soon found his rhythm as he began to elicit significant movement off of the pitch. It took a glorious delivery from Graves to remove Timms (5), who then followed up soon after by having Patel (4) caught in the covers by Paul Garrott. A 40 run partnership followed but it was Graves who again managed to make things happen for Reed, finding the outside edge of opener Horton (34). Jason Pallett, who had replaced Neil Haslam (10-1-43-0) then removed Marques for 19 as Reed started to get a foothold in the game, as Hertford found themselves 85-4. However the Hertford middle order soon restored control for the hosts as Kildare and Clarke carefully negotiated the bowling of the returning Julien Fynn (6-2-34-0) and skipper Mikey Robertson to build a solid 70 run partnership. Robertson then turned back to spin, as Pallett and Bowles were charged with breaking the dangerous partnership before the game got away from Reed. Kilare (57) passed his half century, but his innings was halted as Bowles found his outside edge and ‘keeper Naeem held on to a sharp catch behind the stumps. Pallett then had Clarke (34) stumped as the Hertford approached the 200 mark. Pallett (10-0-46-3) and Bowles (7-0-35-2) created a number of further chances, but only came away with one further wicket each as the Hertford batsmen chanced their arm towards the end of the innings. Fynn and Bowles combined to run out [...]

By |2016-05-23T16:53:25+01:00May 23rd, 2016|Categories: 2016, 2016 Match Report|Tags: |Comments Off on Graves and Naeem efforts in vain as Reed IIIs fall short at Hertford

A “fiery fiver-fer” by Ed Wharton can’t save Reed

First XI, SHPCL Championship. A couple of fiery spells by Ed Wharton, which earned him 5 wickets were not enough to prevent Letchworth triumphing by 2 wickets after they appeared to be cantering to an easy win. Reed found runs hard to come by against spinners Maxford Pipe (10-3-16-1) and captain, William Bates, (10-2-32-3). However, the Heslams put together a solid opening partnership of 48 with Will scoring 36 whilst Richard Wharton (32) and Tom Greaves (21) matched their efforts.It was left to Mitchell Cooper though, who smashed 15 off the final over, including two towering sixes which took them to a respectable total of 195-8. With a steady drizzle falling, Letchworth set off at a rapid rate, although Ed Wharton accounted for two top batsmen in Simmons and Bates with only 17 on the board. Nevertheless, with West Indian one day international Pipe (29) running swiftly and scoring freely and opener Aitkenhead (48) and Winchester (58) contributing quick runs, Letchworth soon raced to 150-3. Sean Tidey made the breakthrough and took a diving catch to halt the charge and when Ed Wharton returned to claim two more wickets, ending with 10-1-46-5, the looked to be in the balance. A composed ninth wicket stand saw Letchworth home, however. Report submitted by Peter Wholley.

By |2016-12-27T13:13:03+00:00May 23rd, 2016|Categories: 2016, 2016 Match Report|Tags: |Comments Off on A “fiery fiver-fer” by Ed Wharton can’t save Reed
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