Another disappointing result for the 1st XI as they lost to bottom club Sawbridgeworth by 8 wickets. Reed won the toss and batted first with a good opening partnership of 62 between Rob Lankester and Richard Johnson (18). However wickets fell regularly to catches and when Lankester was caught behind directly after the drinks break for 72, another collapse seemed likely, but a stubborn partnership between Jack Caine (56) and Richard Barlow (45) developed into an exciting one until Barlow was unluckily run-out by a direct throw. Eventually the innings subsided to 260 all out with 3 overs remaining. When Sawbridgeworth batted, the wicket had become easy paced and two century partnerships between Danny Wilson (91 not out), Bradley Oakes (64) and Rob Sanders (58) saw them home with 2 overs to spare. This despite some tight bowling and good ground fielding with Matt Bowles the most economical bowler only conceding 36 runs from his 10 overs. Reed must now eke out enough points from the remaining two games to stave off relegation. Match Report submitted by Peter Wholley.

It was a game of two standout openers’ batting performances. Initially, Richard Wharton carried his bat for a sparkling 125, but he was then matched by Sawbridgeworth’s experienced no.1, Danny Wilson, agonisingly out in the penultimate over for 98. However, he had almost single-handedly saved the game for Sawbridgeworth, who ended on 167-7, facing Reed’s imposing 290-7. Wharton was well supported by his brother, Ed’s, quick-fire 32 (7 boundaries) and in-form Matt Sampson’s 30, but the bed-rock of the innings was a partnership of 118 between him and Rob Lankester (63). The latter produced his usual array of strokes, including his trademark reverse sweep. The habitual clatter of wickets followed as Reed racked up their highest total this year. Facing this challenge, Sawbridgeworth were never in the hunt with wickets falling regularly, but Wilson found support from Kafi Khan and Matt Billings as Tom Greaves tried 8 bowlers in a desperate attempt to force a win, one of whom lasted just 5 balls before two ‘beamers’ forced him off! Karl Ward again caught the eye with 11-3-27-3. A second 'winning draw' in a row gained 16 points for Reed. Match Report submitted by Peter Wholley.