COLTS:
The Under 13s played their Quarter-Final of the Herts Junior League Championship versus Tring Park CC on Wednesday. Reed were well away with opening pair Sam Osborne and Charlie Walters each passing 30 then having to retire. Runs did not come quite so quickly after that but Reed posted a reasonable total of 113 for 3. Tring Park, (who all looked to be at least one year older than the mainly Under 11s who make up the Reed side), started slowly, then Adam Gardner bowled one of the openers with his first delivery. But that brought the classy-looking number 3 to the crease and once he got going, runs were scored more freely. He retired at 30 as did the remaining opener, then the subsequent batsmen took the visitors to the target with no more alarms.

Thursday saw a visit to Thriplow by the Under 11s.The hosts made 244 for 5 but Reed knocked-up 274 for 3 to win by 30 runs.

The Under 11s undertook another trip on Saturday morning when they went to Saffron Walden. This time Reed lost by 52 runs when they managed 225 for 8 and Saffron Walden 277 for 5.

SOCIAL:
The Chairman’s Match took place on Friday. Eventually, the teams comprised 13-a-side and played 35 overs each. Stuart Smith’s XIII posted a competitive 193 for 10 thanks to thirties by Ally McKeogh and Rupert Martin, plus 26 by Robbie Hawkins and an “all-boundary” 28 from Mikey Robertson (2 sixes and 4 fours)! Former Reed Colt, Ben Ingrey took 2 for 33 down the hill in his opening spell for the Tidey Team whilst, once he had discarded the keeper’s pads, Tim Tidey returned an amazing 3 for 12 with his slow left-armers.
Peter Tidey’s XIII relied on two biggish innings. For the Chairman’s Team Joe Graves looked menacing and claimed 2 wickets for ten runs, but young Mike Catt battled through to 62 and MJE Baker retired after he went from 49 to 55 with a six down to the Village Hall. The Tidey Team carried-on to win with 6 wickets down. It was a marvellous social occasion, blessed by fine weather, with lots of families watching and much support from helpers to make it a successful day. Well done everyone and thank you.

SATURDAY:
A full 90 points!
The Firsts beat long-time rivals Langleybury by 9 wickets on The Green. Mitchell Copper destroyed them with 6 wickets for 31 backed by Tom Greaves’s 3 for 45. Will Heslam was undefeated on 66 when the win came in the 29th over, with support from Ed Wharton’s 29 and Rob Lankester’s 26 not out.

The same outcome was at Northampton Exiles when the hosts were all-out for 96 after Julien Fynn took 4 wickets and Peter Tidey 3. Losing only 1 wicket on the way, Richard Johnson and Matt Sampson registered scores in the forties as Reed’s Second XI secured their victory by 9 wickets.

Over at Old Welwyn, the Thirds batted first against Welwyn Garden City. MJE Baker and Zac Conley passed half-centuries and Ben Moody and Rupert Martin got into the forties and they ended-up on 241 all out in the last over. WGC were ousted for 194 with 2 wickets each for Rupert Martin and Joe Graves but the pick of the bowlers was Martin Johnson with 4 for 46. The Thirds won by 47 runs.

FOURTH XI:
Reed’s Fourth XI have had to withdraw from the Herts League (SHPCL). Because of a lack of availabilities throughout the Club since the beginning of the season, the Fourth Team have suffered and had to concede five league matches. The SHPCL were kept abreast of our problems but it was decided this week that RCC IVs should be withdrawn. Subsequently, Lloyd Bowman has stepped-down as Team Captain. I thank Lloyd for his years of commitment to the cause. He stepped-up when he was needed and has done a super job. The 4ths won their Division in his first year and were promoted and played competitively last season.
Please remember that players who are not selected for Saturdays should try to make themselves available for the Sunday “Friendlies”. Before we even had a Third Team, let alone a Fourth Team, these Sunday games were where young players started to make the transition to Open-Age Cricket to develop their skills and some parents were drawn back into the playing field alongside their sons & daughters. Please make your availabilities for both days known to the Team Captains each week.

SUNDAY:
Batting at number 8 and number 11 respectively, Stuart Smith (55 not out) and Rob Lankester (59 not out) combined to score an unbroken 91 for the 10th wicket taking Reed to 213 for 9. After heavy rain and chasing a reduced target, the visitors ended on 154 for 7. There were 2 wickets each for Smith and Ross Gardner plus 2 run-outs by Matt Yates.

Expect Match Reports to follow shortly.

PGB.