Reed 1st XI hosted top of the table Letchworth Garden City in the Herts Premier League Championship on Saturday July 23rd. Reed captain Tom Greaves won the toss and opted to bat on a hot day on the flattest of tracks. However, tight Letchworth bowling saw Reed score at 3 an over for the first 50 overs for 3 wickets down. Brothers William, (64), and James Heslam, (57), both contributed well, but Reed were unable to kick-on in the middle overs and found themselves having to accelerate in the last ten. Sean Tidey, (20 not out), and Mitchell Cooper, (20), both scored quickly to take Reed to 238 for 7 off their allotted 60 overs. However this was clearly going to be a difficult total for Reed to defend. In reply, Letchworth got off to a rapid start, but Reed had Aitchenhead, (12), caught Tidey, bowled Ed Wharton in the fourth over with Letchworth on 22. Chahal, (35), and Bates, (51), then rebuilt the innings with a stand of 45, taking them to 81 for two in the 17th over. This brought hard-hitting Maxwell Pipe to the crease who proceeded to score 78 not out and take Letchworth over the line in 50 overs with 5 overs to spare. Ed Wharton (16 overs, 1 maiden, 4 wickets for 72 runs) tried his heart out, supported by Tom Greaves (12-0-2-49), but in between too many loose balls were bowled by the five other bowlers used and Letchworth cruised to victory thanks to Pipe's powerful stroke play. Reed meet Hemel Hempstead away this Saturday. Report submitted by RMR.

First XI, SHPCL Championship. A couple of fiery spells by Ed Wharton, which earned him 5 wickets were not enough to prevent Letchworth triumphing by 2 wickets after they appeared to be cantering to an easy win. Reed found runs hard to come by against spinners Maxford Pipe (10-3-16-1) and captain, William Bates, (10-2-32-3). However, the Heslams put together a solid opening partnership of 48 with Will scoring 36 whilst Richard Wharton (32) and Tom Greaves (21) matched their efforts.It was left to Mitchell Cooper though, who smashed 15 off the final over, including two towering sixes which took them to a respectable total of 195-8. With a steady drizzle falling, Letchworth set off at a rapid rate, although Ed Wharton accounted for two top batsmen in Simmons and Bates with only 17 on the board. Nevertheless, with West Indian one day international Pipe (29) running swiftly and scoring freely and opener Aitkenhead (48) and Winchester (58) contributing quick runs, Letchworth soon raced to 150-3. Sean Tidey made the breakthrough and took a diving catch to halt the charge and when Ed Wharton returned to claim two more wickets, ending with 10-1-46-5, the looked to be in the balance. A composed ninth wicket stand saw Letchworth home, however. Report submitted by Peter Wholley.