Reed 1st team went down to their 4th defeat of the season on Saturday against fellow promotion hopefuls Totteridge all but eliminating any hopes of moving up to Herts division three next year. The game began well for the home side with Clarke taking 3 early wickets, With Tidey keeping runs down at the other end with his usual controlled swing bowling Reed were well placed. Totteridge were moving at just 2 runs an over up until the 33rd over. However, then Poland who had stuck it out at number 3 began to open his shoulders and with the help of Goldsmith amongst others in the lower order managed to help Totteridge to a decent score of 201-8 after 50 overs. Paceman Clarke was the pick of the bowlers with 5-65(his second 5 wicket haul in as many weeks) putting in an excellent performance once again. In reply, reed got off to a good start with Heslam (35)and Curtis(19) putting on 50 for the first wicket inside 10 overs. This was despite being up against a useful opening pair and with the likelihood of lesser bowlers to come on reed looked well set. However, Curtis was out soon after followed by Chris Jackson and later Heslam with the score at just 66. This meant the middle order had a big part to play and despite a good knock by the inform Rich Johnson(29), opener Hall managed to keep bowling at a reasonable pace throughout the innings doing the main damage taking 6-68. This meant that reed only managed to reach 138 before Tidey was last man out in the 37th over.

Reed cruised to their 2nd consecutive league victory at home to Wheathampstead IIs on Saturday. Reed were put into bat on a wicket that would give bowlers the edge early on however Baz Curtis and and in form James Heslam put on 64 for the 1st wicket for their 2nd consecutive 50 opening partnership. In previous seasons when Curtis was out Reed would normally slump however this year there seems to be new found confidence in the batting line up. With two ex-county colts captains at the crease in Heslam and Christophe Jackson, the scoreboard kept ticking at a fair rate and Reed reached the 100 off only 21 overs. Heslam was unlucky to fall short of his 2nd league 50 of the season when caught slogging to the deep. With Jackson falling shortly afterwards it bought together university student Will “Ill only play one game till it warms up and Im properly fit” Clarke to the wicket and Trev “I do play that shot with my eyes open “Saunders. Saunders hit the ball with his usual power with Clarke helping Saunders to the majority of the strike - and Will even hit a couple of boundaris. Shortly after Saunders reached his 50, Reed then declared on 209 for 4 off 45 overs. The reason for this could be; - watch the FA Cup Final - saving Skipper Jackson from getting another duck or - giving themselves an extra 8 overs to bowl out Wheathampstead In reply W'Hampstead never got going with Reeds attack boasting the luxury of Michael “Im under 19 so can only bowl 7 overs” Berks and Will Clarke in the fast bowling stakes with Ian “oldest swinger in town” Roberts tying [...]