SATURDAY: It was the Group Matches in the Herts County 20/20 Cup on Saturday. Reed were drawn to play at Potters Bar in Group 4 against North Mymms in the first game. Thanks to 4 wickets each from Sean Tidey and Tom Greaves, the Premier Division side were bowled all-out for 103 in 19 overs. Nothing could have been tighter as Reed squeezed home off the last delivery of the innings with 9 wickets down and thus progressed through to the Group Final. The scores were level but Reed had lost fewer wickets! Subsequently, Potters Bar disposed of Harpenden in a 43-run victory. In a day beset by poor weather, the players were more off the field than on, so when the hosts’ innings was deemed closed on 36 for 1 after 7 overs later in the afternoon, Reed’s target was calculated at 48 in 7 overs by the Duckworth Lewis Stern (DLS) method. Reed’s new boy, Zac McGuigan (19 n.o.) and old hand, Sean Tidey (28 n.o.), formed the opening partnership and biffed and bashed their way to 48 without loss in just 4 overs! Reed will join the other Group Winners, Hertford and Totteridge Millhillians, at the County Semi-Finals and Final which are due to be played on Sunday 14th July. Radlett and Letchworth appear to have encountered more rain than at the other venues and their Group Winner is still to be decided. COLTS: The Under 13s played a friendly against City of Cambridge at home last week. The visitors scored 99 for 4, wickets falling to Sam Osborne, (2), Charlie Butler and Archie McIntosh (1 each). Then solid knocks of 33 not out from Sam Osborne and 20 by Eden Scott [...]

Rich Barlow retired after reaching fifty on Saturday against Flitwick in a friendly. There were also useful early-season innings by Rhodri Hughes, Ed Garrott, Mitchell Cooper, Rob Lankester and MJE Baker who all passed twenty as Reed closed on 205 for 5. The home bowling proved too strong for Flitwick who finished 84 runs short on 121 for 8. Karl Ward and Joe Graves took 3 wickets each and Mitchell Cooper 2. The 1st XI's friendly away at Stevenage was called-off because of an unfit pitch. In addition to the 1st XI being involved in the County 20/20 next Saturday, it is looking quite likely that some additional friendly fixtures will be arranged for next Saturday and / or Sunday with several players interested and available. If you are wanting to get some time on the field before the League begins the following Saturday,(11th May), remember to contact Matt Bowles or one of the other selectors by Monday evening. PGB.

Availability was such that we were able to arrange a second fixture on Saturday so that in addition to the Knebworth Park match we also took an XI to play away at Sawbridgeworth. The "A" Team came off for tea after Knebworth Park had rattled-up 238 for 7 from their 40 overs. Wickets were spread between Ed Wharton (3) Matt Giblin (2) Toby Fynn (2) and Tom Greaves (1). Reed managed only 95 in reply with Phil Frenay top-scoring on 40. At Sawbridgeworth, Reed's Extra "A"s bowled-out the hosts for 181. Again wickets were shared, Matt Bowles (3), Julien Fynn, Alex Kelly & Rupert Martin (2 each) and Karl Ward (1) but the catching was superb, MJE Baker claiming 3 behind the stumps led the way. The batting response was a little slow as wickets fell to some accurate bowling, but Rob Willoughby (56) and MJE Baker (51) kept Reed in contention although once they were out the requirement was too much and Reed finally ended on 145 for 7. PGB