Reeds Sunday second XI had a positive start to the season with a fantastic win over the visiting Guilden Morden. Marcus J.E. Baker won the toss and inserted the opposition in overcast conditions.Joe Graves got things going for Reed coming down the hill, whilst Under 15 Owen Hughes opened from the other end. It was O. Hughes who got ball rolling for Reed with fantastic caught and bowled from his first ball to remove Ben Ingrey. He followed this up soon after by bowling S. Willow for 4 giving Reed a firm advantage in the early stages. O. Hughes, with impressive figures of 2 for 22 from his 5 overs made way for Masseh Naeem whilst Joe Graves (6-0-19-0) was replaced by Rhoddri Hughes. The first change bowlers proved equally dangerous with both taking wickets in their first overs. However, things took a turn for the worst for Reed as opposition captain Sam Ingrey came to the crease and took a liking to R. Hughes bowling. The left hander cleared the boundary multiple times on his way to a brisk 56. He was then bowled by the sharp pace from Roddi Liebenberg (2-1-1-2) who took another with his next ball putting Reed back on top. R. Hughes then came back on and collect ed two more wickets finishing with 3 for 58. Meanwhile, Maseeh Naeem had help up the other end with an extraordinary spell, he finished with figures of 7 overs, 6 maidens, 1 wicket for just 3 runs. The Guilden Morden tail was finished off by Steve Hughes (2-0-7-1) and Freddy Stuart taking the final wicket with his single delivery.With a target of 120 Reed were confident of a victory but knew that [...]

It was a day for the batsmen as Reed travelled away to face Knebworth Blue in a high scoring friendly. The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first.Knebworth were racing along as Gill bludgeoned the ball around the park in partnership with Butterbee (37). The introduction of Sam Rice (1-62) brought around the first wicket with John Kershaw taking a nice catch behind off Butterbee. This however only allowed Dave Saunders to come to the crease who joined Gill in the heavy hitting. Graeme Stuart then came onto bowl and took the wicket of Gill but sadly it was after he had made three figures, Stuart would go onto remove Benjamin (39) and would finish with figures of 8 overs, 2 for 40. Considering the two attacking batsmen and lighting fast outfield Stuart’s figures were good as were under 15 Owen Hughes. He had earlier opened the bowling and now would come back to take yet another caught and bowled finishing with 7 overs, 1 maiden, 1 for 30. Marcus J.E. Baker removed Saunders (67) but it had cost him to the tune of 54 runs and Josh Conley (1-48) would also chip in, in a returning spell. Reed had given themselves a hefty target of 292 due to the incredible amount of extras and dropped catches of key batsmen which in hindsight could have saved them a lot of runs. Reed went about their chase with positivity and soon were rewarded with the beginning of a good partnership between Peter G. Baker and Steve Hughes. On 26 Hughes (11) was given LBW having just hit successive boundaries. Baker was then joined by John Kershaw and the pair took advantage of the quick [...]

Reed Second Eleven travelled along to the charming village of Aston for a 40/40 friendly and having won the toss Marcus J.E. Baker inserted the hosts. Joe Graves opened the bowling for Reed and produced a fantastic spell of 6-3-13-1 which troubled Aston and claimed the early wicket of Cowell (6). Jack Childs also beat the bat several times and also claimed a wicket after L. O’Hanlon pulled a short ball straight to Alex King at square leg. Alex King then replaced Graves and too impressed with a fine action. The left hander coming over the wicket had the ball coming into the batsmen and could easily have claimed more but finished with one wicket for fifteen. Meanwhile, Childs had made way for Josh Conley just back from University. The tall man also got movement and suitably displayed his fine skill in his spell of seven overs one for just fifteen. At drinks Aston were just about holding on but then things got worse for them. M.J.E. Baker (2-6-3) brought himself on to bowl and struck straight away, the ball having hit the pads gently rolled back onto the stumps. He would then take two more thanks to some good field placements and superb catches in the deep as the hosts threw their wickets away. Under 13 leg spinner Jag Lalli chipped in thanks to a stumping from Mark King who also took a catch of Jack Childs (6.4-2-30-2) returning for a second spell. Reed had once again displayed the usual high fielding standards with catches from Lalli, Michael Robertson and Julian Fynn. Aston, all out for just 87.Not wanting to be over confident M.J.E. Baker chose to blend the youth of the team with [...]

Reed’s Sunday Seconds put in yet another solid performance on their home turf to defeat Aston. Marcus J.E. Baker won the toss and elected to bat first backing his confidence in his sides batting ability to set a strong target.Peter Baker and Rhodri Hughes started cautiously in making just 34 from the first 10 overs. However, with both batsmen now settled and comfortable at the crease a more aggressive second quarter saw Reed reach three figures by drinks. With the score on 119 the first wicket fell with Hughes being caught behind just one shy of a much deserved half century. Baker followed soon after for a well constructed 67. With two new batsmen at the crease Aston had an opening to exert some pressure. However, this was not to be the case as Lloyd Bowman and Matt Naeem resisted their attack adding 55 together. In fact Naeem, usually an accumulator, went on an all out assault and began to hit over the top in making 35. Bowman too continued his season long good form in contributing 19. M.J.E. Baker (14) then had the opportunity to bat alongside his brother James (22) as the Baker boys knocked the ball around taking Reed’s total past 200. In the final few overs Ben Moody (5*) ran well in support of the devastating Sean Tidey (27*) who hit 26 from the last over to see Reed to 253 for 6. In response Aston recovered from an early loss to form a threatening second wicket partnership. This momentum ended when spin twins Matt Naeem (6-1-19-2) and Sean Tidey (5-0-20-2) ripped through the middle order. Tidey and Naeem’s wickets were all bowled and left the visitors at 80 for 5. [...]

A young Reed side suffered a big defeat when they made the short journey to Barley. The hosts won the toss and inserted Reed which proved a good decision as the two Reed openers where lost cheaply. A positive partnership between Scott Caine (17) and Freddy Stuart (17) saw Reed keep up with a good run rate. After them Lloyd Bowman (29), Graham Stuart (10) and Marcus J.E. Baker (10) chipped in but ultimately Reed’s final total of 107 all out was a poor showing.In response the hosts showed how to do it with an opening partnership of 66. Josh Conley (3-13) gave a good display whilst, M.J.E. Baker (1-8) took the only other wicket to go. Barley chased down the low target with 20 overs remaining and 6 wickets in hand.

On one of the hottest playing days of the season thus far, Reeds Sunday Seconds played away to Bragbury at the rustic ground at Weston. Whilst the first eleven hosted Hertford in the County Cup the two’s covered their fixture in the North Herts League. The difference in age and experience was self-evident, but nonetheless the young Reed side put up a spirited fight.Reed won the toss and inserted their hosts and got off to a fantastic start with three early wickets. Bradbury’s over confidence and arrogance being their own down fall as their aggressive start stalled. Sam Hubbard (2-40) opened from the pavilion end and after a hesitant start began to send down some fantastic deliveries, he claimed two wickets thanks to catches by Freddy Stuart in the covers and Rhodri Hughes at point. Joe Graves meanwhile started at the other end and was also troubling the opposition leading to Lawrence (12) to be caught at first slip by Marcus J.E. Baker.Reed had the early advantage but things would change as a sensible partnership by Kenna and Braine put runs on the board. Whilst they were not running amuck with boundaries off every ball they did keep the scoreboard ticking over with good placement, calling and running. Both reached 50 when under 13 Edward Kershaw playing his first adult game claimed Braine for 52 in his first over. The enthusiastic leg spinner sent down some well flighted balls and could certainly have come away with more than his 1 for just 13. Sam Rice had also upset the batsmen with his spin but unfortunately came away empty handed. Kenna continued to play well and finished the hosts innings of 213 for 4 with 108 [...]