SATURDAY:
No real joy for the League teams as the 1sts and 3rds lost, the 2nds drew and the 4ths conceded.

The First XI were all-out for 149 chasing Chorleywood’s 216. Mitchell Cooper scored 47 and Chris Jackson 42 after Reed’s bowlers, Tom Greaves (3 wickets), Ed Wharton (2) and Cooper (2) had kept the visitors to a gettable total, but it was not to be.

The last delivery of the match was hit to the Hoddesdon boundary in the Second XI match. But was it a 4 or a 6? That was the debatable question and eventually the umpires decided it was a four. A six would have meant a Hoddesdon victory by 5 wickets. But as it was only a four, the match was drawn with Reed 1 run ahead. Crucially, Karl Ward had reached the 70s in Reed’s 225 for 9 with support in the lower order from Stuart Smith when Reed were in trouble at 140 for 7.

League newcomers Potten End showed why they are top of Division 9A and will probably find their true playing level further up the ladder within 3 or 4 more seasons when they declared on 256 for 4 on the Freman Oval. MJE Baker took 3 wickets and Neil Haslam 1. The weakened Third XI managed only 56 in their innings, MJEB (14) and Bill Mansfield (10) were the only batsmen to reach double figures.

Because of lack of players throughout the club, the knock-on effect hit the Fourth Team badly and they had to concede their match against Harpenden. This is their 4th concession this season and they face possible expulsion from the League if they concede once more.

After 9 weeks and at the halfway stage of the League season, the Firsts are 3rd in the Championship Division having won 6 matches. They are 48 points behind the leaders.
The Seconds are 7th in Division 4B with 3 victories, 66 points behind the leaders but within striking distance of the three teams above them.
The Thirds also occupy 7th position in 9A but have won 4 matches. Every team is well adrift of Potten End at the top, but Reed is in the following pack of six in close proximity and in fact were in 2nd place before yesterday’s match.
Sadly, the Fourths are last in Regional Division B East.

SUNDAY:
Added to that, Reed had insufficient players to field a team in the friendly against Hertford so that match was cancelled.

National Village Cup:
A reminder that Reed will be at Home versus Mayfield CC from Sussex in the last 16 of the competition starting at 1 o’clock next Sunday, 9th July. Your support would be welcome.

PGB