Peter G. Baker, Author at Reed Cricket Club

Superior run rate gives 3s first win

It’s not the type of victory one likes but was certainly more than welcomed to get the 3s' first 30 points of the season. A second heavy deluge of rain prematurely ended what was shaping into an exciting second innings. The visiting Shenley Village had won the toss and inserted Reed. Paul Garrott and Rob Willoughby did the hard work in putting together a hundred-run opening stand despite a rain delay. Willoughby (33) eventually fell in the 24th over to be replaced by Martin Johnson (6) before also losing his wicket to the bowling of Darmji. Garrott meanwhile was crafting a crucial knock. The score reached 131 before he picked out gully for 69. M.J.E. Baker and Rhodri Hughes (15) both new to the crease were just starting to settle in when a poor call from Baker left Hughes short of his ground. It was crucial for another partnership to be formed and Ben Moody stood with his captain superbly. As the innings approached a close, Baker and Moody took greater chances as they approached 200. Baker was bowled for 39. New signing Jean-Marc Maujean (6) batted selflessly for the team whilst Moody (28*) took Reed to 213 for 6. Despite good spells from Steve Hughes and Jack Childs, Manzi and Mitesh held out against Reed's opening bowlers. Wickets seem to slip past Reed with chances just out of reach. Meanwhile the visitors were getting themselves into a strong winning position. Maseeh Naeem and Baker slowed up the run rate before both struck with consecutive deliveries putting shock and confusion into the Shenley camp. But then, rain! A 45-minute heavy downpour made the pitch and outfield un-playable. The score was 101 for 2 from 24 [...]

By Peter G. Baker|2017-05-22T07:31:58+01:00May 22nd, 2017|Categories: 2017, 2017 Match Report|Tags: 3rd XI v. Shenley Village|Comments Off

Fourths well-adrift

Reed IV versus Totteridge Millhillians IV at Maccabi Sports Ground, Barnet on Saturday 20th May 2017. In a rain-reduced match, a nine-player Reed team were not overwhelmed in the field until the final 10 overs when Totteridge Millhillians accelerated the run rate ending on 208 for 6. Graham Stuart had applied the brakes by taking 3 wickets mid-innings when T-Ms stuttered from 115 to 135. The youthful trio of Ben Mansfield, Richard Stuart and Harry Hawes saved plenty in the field whilst good catches were pouched by Steve Hoye, Ben Mansfield (2) and wicket-keeper, Bill Mansfield. Neil Haslam, Richard Stuart and Lloyd Bowman shared the 3 other wickets to fall. Requiring a run-rate approaching 6 an over, Reed set-off solidly although not fluidly. Hoye and Peter Baker managed only 1 boundary four each as they compiled an opening stand of 35, but they were the only boundaries in the innings of 58 all out. Baker departed for 14 and Hoye top-scored with 18 but the rest were picked-off by some accurate bowling mainly by Rahul Bhatnager (4 for 9) and Thiruchelvcam (3 for 15). Reed were well adrift by 150 runs at the close of play. Reed IV (6 points) lost to Totteridge Millhillians IV (30 points) by 150 runs. Report by PGB.

By Peter G. Baker|2017-05-21T12:09:26+01:00May 21st, 2017|Categories: 2017, 2017 Match Report|Tags: 4th XI v. Totteridge Millhillians|Comments Off

Cherry picks up 6 as Reed capitulate

Luke Cherry picked up 6 Reed wickets, Dunstable having inserted the home side with rain forecast. He took two in the first over, finishing with 6-25 from his 10 overs and was well supported by young seamer Harry McBrearty (7-2-19-2). Both used the conditions and the new ball to good effect, clean bowling 5 of their victims. Only Richard Wharton (16) and Marcus Martin (12 not out) reached double figures as Reed stuttered to 62 all out. The rain did disrupt the Dunstable innings, but they ‘weathered’ the delays as Australian Ben Abbott, younger brother of Sean, smashed 32 not out to steer them to an 8 wicket win. Ed Wharton (1-42) and Jack Tidey (1-15) strove manfully, but the task was always beyond them. Report submitted by Peter Wholley.

By Peter G. Baker|2017-05-21T12:23:01+01:00May 21st, 2017|Categories: 2017, 2017 Match Report|Tags: 1st XI v. Dunstable|Comments Off

Headlines; Week ending 21st May

Saturday: Of the 131 matches in the Herts League programme, 22 were cancelled, 3 conceded and 34 rain affected. Unfortunately, heavy rain did not come soon enough at Reed as the 1sts were bundled out for 62 and duly lost by 8 wickets. The 2nds travelled to Harpenden where the rain caused abandonment after the hosts had reached 30 for 1 in 11 overs. The 3rds ended with 30 points after a win against Shenley Village on the Freman Oval. In an innings reduced by the rain to 48 overs, Paul Garrott scored 69 and Marcus Baker, (39), Rob Willoughby, (35), and Ben Moody, (28 not out), took the score to 213 for 6. After and during rain, Shenley batted to finally finish on 101 for 2 after 24 overs before the weather conditions were such that play could not be continued. Based on run-rate, they had required 107 off those 24 overs. There was a wicket apiece for Maseeh Naeem and MJE Baker. At the Maccabi Sports Ground in Barnet, Totteridge Millhillians racked-up 208 for 6 after a delayed start in an innings reduced to 35 overs. Neil Haslam, Lloyd Bowman and Richard Stuart took 1 wicket each but starring with the ball was Graham Stuart with 3 for 36. There were no stars with the bat, Steve Hoy, (18), and Peter Baker, (14), put on 35 for the first wicket but were the only batsmen in the nine-man team to reach double-figures. Reed all out 58. Sunday: Reed's friendly away at Aston was cancelled. Once again Reed were unable to find 11 players available to play. Village Cup news: Because Shenley Village had conceded to Reed last weekend, and Long Marston had conceded [...]

By Peter G. Baker|2017-05-26T06:09:33+01:00May 21st, 2017|Categories: 2017, News|Tags: Headlines|Comments Off

3s still waiting for season to start after one sided mauling

Under the circumstances Reed's Third Eleven did about as well as could be expected. Only able to muster the very minimum of 8 players because of lack of availability for various reasons, Reed scrapped to 70 all out thanks to a battling 26 from M.J.E. Baker and a cameo of 21 from Josh Conley. The second innings lasted only 63 balls as Emmerton (58) took advantage of the many gaps. Baker's gambit of an attacking field failed to pay off as the visitors Welwyn Garden City got home wicketless. Report submitted by MJEB.

By Peter G. Baker|2017-05-16T07:39:54+01:00May 16th, 2017|Categories: 2017, 2017 Match Report|Tags: 3rd XI v. Welwyn Garden City|Comments Off

Wharton fireworks not enough

A scintillating opening partnership of 134 from 20 overs by Ed Wharton (86) and Rob Lankester (35) was not enough to carry Reed to victory over Langleybury. However, given that there were seven enforced changes from last week’s game, a total of 219 represented a creditable performance. Earlier, Langleybury were on the rack at 106-5 with Toby Fynn (10-1-52-3) and Ian Osborne (10-1-56-3) in the wickets. Yet Rhys Williams (50) and Khalid Manzoor (57) turned the tide with a partnership of 89; Langleybury finishing with 260-9 as Ed Wharton (10-1-31-2) and Karl Ward (10-0-36-1) helped to stem their momentum. A watching Steven Finn must have wished he was opening the bowling again as Wharton in particular flayed a wayward attack. When he was eventually caught on the boundary, having struck 70 in boundaries, there were useful knocks by Matt Sampson (21), Chris Jackson (14), Michael Robertson (14) and Ian Osborne, who anchored the innings with a patient 22 not out. Overall, Reed should be satisfied with 11 hard-won bonus points. Report submitted by Peter Wholley.

By Peter G. Baker|2017-05-14T07:55:53+01:00May 14th, 2017|Categories: 2017, 2017 Match Report|Tags: 1st XI v. Langleybury|Comments Off

Headlines; Week ending 14th May

Shenley Village have conceded in the National Village Cup match due to be played on Sunday. This means Reed will play either Long Marston or Eaton Bray on the 28th May on The Green in the 3rd Round. In the Herts League on Saturday, all of Reed's sides were depleted and they attempted to do the best they could. The 1sts travelled to Langleybury who posted 260 for 9, Toby Fynn 3 for 52 and Ian Osborne 3 for 56. Reed responded with 219 before being bowled out. Ed Wharton made 86 and Rob Lankester 35. On the Green, Reed 2nds relied heavily on Richard Barlow's 92 in reaching 173 all out. George Garrott helped with 28. Northampton Exiles lost wickets to Owen Hughes (2 for 38) and Jean-Marc Maujean (2 for 28) but still had sufficient in the tank to reach the target five down. "Fortress" Freman is losing its description quickly. Bearing the brunt of the absentees, MJE Baker lost the toss and his eight-player Third team was inserted and promptly dismissed for 70. Josh Conley slashed 21 and MJEB top-scored with 26. There were too many gaps to fill in the outfield and Welwyn Garden City romped home within 11 overs without losing a wicket. It was the 4th's scheduled gap week. It was just as well there wasn't a match because undoubtedly it would have been conceded through lack of players. Poor availability further caused the friendly fixture away to Chippenham on Sunday to be cancelled On Friday the Under 11s had their first CYCA League match. Based on net scores after beginning on 200, Reed's youngsters scored 64 but lost 9 wickets thus reducing their total by 45 runs to [...]

By Peter G. Baker|2017-05-20T10:00:00+01:00May 13th, 2017|Categories: 2017, News|Tags: Headlines|Comments Off

Fight and grit but Thirds lose

As the new captain of Reed's Third eleven Marcus J.E. Baker saw the path to success coming through an improvement in the fielding and spirit of the team. An opening fixture against West Herts was the first opportunity to set the new standards. Baker had won the toss and decided to bat first, with the experienced opening pair of Paul Garrott and Robert Willoughby. Both made a vigilant start when Willoughby was caught and bowled for 17. Owen Hughes joined Garrott and immediately looked at ease. Garrott meanwhile was carving out a crucial knock and looked set for a half century when he was lost, caught for 43. Baker then came to crease and scored freely. They had put on 50 for the fourth wicket when Baker (33) was bowled. Hughes’s patient and diligent innings ended soon after for 33. The remaining Reed batsmen each made contributions but not enough to get Reed to 200 with the innings ending all out for 161. Reed's opening bowlers suffered poor luck. Hughes and Joe Graves both gave maximum effort but things just went against them. Eventually Joe Graves (2-18) made the breakthrough. He then struck again and Matt Yates, replacing Hughes, took the third wicket. The momentum was with Reed. But young county player Brady (45) and King (27) took West Herts to within twenty runs of victory when Willoughby bowled King. The eagerness of the hosts to finish the game quickly was costing them their wickets as Reed sensed an upset as the wickets fell in quick succession. It was here that the aspects that M.J.E. Baker wanted his team to target, team spirit and fielding were focused on. The young side was as one and [...]

By Peter G. Baker|2017-05-12T07:33:19+01:00May 12th, 2017|Categories: 2017, 2017 Match Report|Tags: 3rd XI v. West Herts|Comments Off

Nail biting victory for Reed 2’s in season opener

Reed CC 2nd XI began their second season in the Saracens Herts League Division 4B with a hard-fought and close victory in an excellent game of cricket away at Northwood Town CC. Reed won the toss and chose to bowl. NTCC got off to a decent start despite good spells from Karl Ward (3-54) and Peter Tidey (2-32) and by the drinks break were looking on for a sizable total. Matt Bowles (2-35) and Matt Sampson (0-23) had other ideas however as they spun their web to reign the NTCC batsmen in. NTCC managed to forge some good partnerships towards the end of their innings and ended up with a competitive total of 217-7. Reed’s response got off to a poor start with Phil Frenay (4) and Ed Garrott (6) both going cheaply. This brought together Richard Johnson and Sampson who batted carefully to forge an invaluable partnership of 115, and just as the game looked as though it was Reed’s for the taking Johnson (67) was unfortunately run out and Sampson (47) quickly followed. Reed needed to increase the run rate and up stepped Michael Robertson who smashed 43 in no time, but when he departed a further 8 runs were required with 3 overs and 2 wickets to spare. Bowles (7*) and Tim Tidey (4*) took their time and picked off the bad balls and saw the team home with 2 balls to spare in an enthralling encounter. Report submitted by Phil Frenay.

By Peter G. Baker|2017-05-09T09:51:46+01:00May 9th, 2017|Categories: 2017, 2017 Match Report|Tags: 2nd XI v. Northwood Town|Comments Off

Under 13s push ahead

Reed's Under 13 Colts batted well on Thursday making a healthy 126 on The Green. Sam Osborne and Charlie Walters retired as soon as they had passed 30 runs each, then Ross Gardner (18 not out) and Jack Beber (17 not out) carried-on for the remainder of the 16-over innings. In response, Broxbourne ended their innings on 82 for 4. Wickets fell to Osborne, 2 for 5, Beber 1 for 9 and Matt Liebenberg, 1 for 12, leaving Reed victors by 44 runs.

By Peter G. Baker|2017-05-07T10:21:32+01:00May 7th, 2017|Categories: 2017, 2017 Match Report|Tags: U13 Colts v. Broxbourne|Comments Off

About Peter G. Baker