SATURDAY:

Peter Baker had been looking forward to playing on his 248th different venue when the 4th Team were to travel to Old Haberdashers. Unfortunately, changes further up the Club impacted on player availability once more and consequently the Fourths had to concede again. Their continued participation in the League is now very doubtful.

Meanwhile, on the field, the Firsts were dominant against Sawbridgeworth having their hosts all-out for 150; 4 wickets for Jack Tidey and 2 each for Sean Tidey, Tom Greaves and Toby Fynn. Then, Will Heslam (45) and Richard Wharton took Reed within touching distance of victory before being split, but Wharton continued to an unbeaten 97 when Reed won by 9 wickets. Only West Herts (256 points) and Hoddesdon (238) are above Reed (232) in the Championship Division.

On the Green, an exciting run-chase ended in a 6-wicket win for Reed Seconds when Mike Robertson (24 not out) and Ed Garrott (17 not out) saw them home against Northwood Town. The visitors had declared on 250 for 7 in their innings, the wickets falling to Karl Ward (3), Garrott and Matt Bowles, (2 each). Reed cantered to the target thanks to contributions from Rich Barlow (37), Phil Frenay (38), Mike Catt (65) and Richard Johnson (67). The Seconds are in 4th place in Division 4B, 33 points behind table-toppers Hoddesdon who have 256 points.

On another field, this time on the Freman Oval, West Herts had no trouble chasing-down the Third’s total of 151. Mostly, those runs came courtesy of Ben Moody, (42), Marcus Baker, (32), Paul Garrott, (23) and Tom Nussey, (22), but Reed’s only joy in West Herts’ innings were the 2 wickets by Joe Graves. Reed have slipped to 7th position in Division 9A.

SUNDAY:

Because of the clash with the Village Cup match, the friendly fixture against Braughing was cancelled.

Reed have won through to the Quarter Finals of the National Village Cup by beating Mayfield from Sussex in a tense thriller at Reed. Mayfield scored 166 for 8 with wickets falling regularly to Toby Fynn (2 for 13) before he was injured and latterly Sean Tidey (3 for 23) and 1 each for Tom Greaves,Karl Ward and Mitchell Cooper.
Opener Will Heslam scored 29 in the reply but a tumble of wickets left skipper Greaves (33) rebuilding the innings. When more wickets fell, it was sensible hitting and running by Karl Ward (21) and Mitch Cooper (not out 33) that brought the scores level. It was then a formality for Reed to notch-up the single with 8 wickets down.
Next stop is away against Bledlow Village in Buckinghamshire on Sunday 23rd July. They racked-up 320 runs against Herndon-on-the-Hill today.
COLTS:
In the Cambridgeshire Youth Cricket Association, the Under 11s scored 69 for 5 against Royston. This gave them a net total of 244 (worked out by starting with 200, adding the runs scored [making it 269], then subtracting 5 runs per wicket lost [5 x 5 = 25], concluding in 269 – 25 = 244. Easy isn’t it? Applying the same formula to Royston, they scored 79 runs, but significantly lost 8 wickets. So their net total was 200 + 79 – 40 = 239. Reed WON by 5 runs!

The Under 13s ended their Herts Junior League after 10 rounds in second place, just 2 points behind Welwyn Garden City. Their last match was a defeat by 26 runs at the hands of Letchworth. Chasing Letchworth’s 140 for 6, Reed scored 114 for 5 in their innings.
Nevertheless, Reed qualify for the Quarter Finals of the competition which are due to be played during this coming week. Reed will entertain Tring Park U13s on Wednesday 12th July starting as near to 1800hrs as possible; after all the journey from Tring to Reed is a long one! I encourage you all to come and support our youngsters on Wednesday with a place in the Semis and Final at stake next Sunday.

Expect Match Reports to follow shortly.

PGB