Reed IIs notched up their fourth consecutive victory in a wonderful game of cricket against previously unbeaten West Herts IIs on Saturday.

Captain Phil Frenay won the toss and had no hesitation in batting on what looked a typically batting friendly surface at The Green. Frenay along with Richard Johnson opened the innings for Reed and got off to a free-scoring start as both batsmen found the boundary regularly. However, when Frenay was adjudged LBW, soon to be followed back to the hutch by the elegant Johnson, Reed looked somewhat vulnerable. Undeterred, Chris Jackson and Mitch Cooper took up the mantle and put on a wonderful 150-run partnership as both looked set for a well-deserved century. Boundaries came at regular intervals and sensible running ensured the visitors were kept on their toes as Reed looked set for a huge score. It was not to be however, as first Jackson departed for 77, harshly adjudged caught behind, and then Cooper (75) ran himself out. Some useful contributions in the middle order, particularly by Jack Caine, got Reed comfortably above the 200 mark, but a lower order collapse meant they had to settle for 240 all out.

In reply, the free-scoring visitors got off to a strong start. However, excellent bowling by the increasingly impressive Matt Giblin and the introduction of Caine and Cooper started to chip away at the wickets. Cooper was excellent in his accuracy and picked up 3 wickets with his nagging medium pacers. Despite wickets falling, West Herts remained up with the rate and some middle order resistance kept them well in the game. The introduction of Matt Bowles soon swung the game back in Reed’s favour as he took 2 wickets in his first two overs. However, another partnership in the visitors’ middle order got them over 200 and needing just 6 an over for the last five overs. Owen Hughes returned to the attack with impressive accuracy and was rewarded with 2 wickets and when Caine returned to pick up his first scalp, it was left to captain Frenay to swoop like an eagle and in a single motion pick up and fire the ball over the stumps for Caine to run out the number 11 to give Reed a hard fought 16-run victory.

Match Report submitted by Matt Bowles.