After a tough defeat to Sawbridgeworth the previous week, the Thirds were in need of a win to get their promotion campaign back on course. The conditions at Welwyn on first arrival seemed far from a summer’s day due to the overcast conditions and wet outfield. Nevertheless the will of men to play cricket is a stubborn one, Welwyn won the toss and insisted on fielding first.Captain Peter Baker and Aiden Swain headed out and started at a steady pace but eventually the first wicket fell with the score on 29, Baker (19) putting one up in the air. Swain (65) however continued a fine innings to reach his second half century in successive weeks. Impressive middle order performances from Matt Bowles (38), Masseh Naeem (21) and Ben Bowles (28) gave substance to the total, Reed’s batsmen playing well in the poor conditions. Reed finished their 47 overs on 233 for 9, Ian Roberts (1*) and Rupert Martin (21*), in a valuable role, prevented the Welwyn bowlers taking that last wicket. Of the bowlers Fitzgerald (12-1-69-4) stood out.The Welwyn innings saw Martin strike early yet again in his second over, M.J.E. Baker taking a low reaction catch at first slip. For Martin (16-0-71-3) that was just the beginning as he and Roberts (14-2-59-3) took three apiece as they, Mitchell Cooper (7-0-24-1) and Ben Bowles (5-0-40-1), attacked the Welwyn batting. The bowlers were supported by a determined field with smart catches by P. Baker and M. Cooper as well as Alan Ward performing admirably behind the stumps. Batsmen Primardo (66), Fitzgerald (35), Byford (32) and Tanner (27) made a good fight of it as Welwyn came within touching distance of the required total, but an outstanding [...]

Reed III’s maintained their good form with an impressive 7 wicket victory away at Waltham X Rosedale on Saturday. Winning the toss, Reed captain Peter Baker made the decision to put the hosts into bat, and the decision looked a good one as Reed’s young pace attack ripped into the Waltham X top order. Rupert Martin (14-3-54-1), Mitchell Cooper (10-0-52-2) and Louis Gearing (9-2-24-1) combined to leave the home side reeling at 40-4. However good batting from the experienced J. Pearce (36) and a hard hitting knock from Waltham X captain Peak (68) averted the crisis and allowed the home side to steer themselves towards a competitive total. Ian Roberts (8-2-13-1) and Jack Tidey (6-1-19-1) also snared a deserved wicket each, but more patient batting from Phillips (27 Not Out) meant that the Waltham X innings ended up at 176-6 off of their 47 Overs. In reply, Reed sent out Peter Baker and Aidan Swain to open their innings, and the pair got Reed off to a typically solid start, striking a number of early boundaries. 44 runs were on the board when Baker snicked a ball to the keeper and had to depart for 17. Swain (23) then fell soon after, caught at point, to leave Reed 53-2. These wickets brought brothers Ben and Matt Bowles to the crease, and both looked in good nick as they progressed the score towards three figures. Matt Bowles had just started to free his arms when he was caught sharply in the covers for 18. Undeterred, Ben Bowles (55 Not Out) continued to bat patiently, and plunder the bad balls to the boundary as he was joined by Ian Fulk. Fulk also found his feet at the [...]

Reed III’s maintained their good form with an impressive 7 wicket victory away at Waltham X Rosedale on Saturday. Winning the toss, Reed captain Peter Baker made the decision to put the hosts into bat, and the decision looked a good one as Reed’s young pace attack ripped into the Waltham X top order. Rupert Martin (14-3-54-1), Mitchell Cooper (10-0-52-2) and Louis Gearing (9-2-24-1) combined to leave the home side reeling at 40-4. However good batting from the experienced J. Pearce (36) and a hard hitting knock from Waltham X captain Peak (68) averted the crisis and allowed the home side to steer themselves towards a competitive total. Ian Roberts (8-2-13-1) and Jack Tidey (6-1-19-1) also snared a deserved wicket each, but more patient batting from Phillips (27 Not Out) meant that the Waltham X innings ended up at 176-6 off of their 47 Overs. In reply, Reed sent out Peter Baker and Aidan Swain to open their innings, and the pair got Reed off to a typically solid start, striking a number of early boundaries. 44 runs were on the board when Baker snicked a ball to the keeper and had to depart for 17. Swain (23) then fell soon after, caught at point, to leave Reed 53-2. These wickets brought brothers Ben and Matt Bowles to the crease, and both looked in good nick as they progressed the score towards three figures. Matt Bowles had just started to free his arms when he was caught sharply in the covers for 18. Undeterred, Ben Bowles (55 Not Out) continued to bat patiently, and plunder the bad balls to the boundary as he was joined by Ian Fulk. Fulk also found his feet at the [...]

After winning promotion in each of their first two seasons in the Herts League, Reed Thirds began their 2008 campaign with a fantastic victory on Saturday. Playing against the Third XI of established "bigger" club, St Margaretsbury, Reed found themselves up against several 2nd XI players who appeared experienced and more than capable. Batsmen Miller, 55, Frost, 45, and Reed, 66 not out, were supported by useful contributions by Whalley and Gilmore as the hosts amassed 242 for 5 in 43 overs declared. George Greaves had taken 1 for 3 before pulling a muscle and Kallum and Alan Ward had taken a wicket each. But Reed's best bowler was Marcus Baker with 2 for 24 as he kept a tight line on the off stump. Then came the run chase. Reed were 101 for 4 after 26 overs with all the veterans already out. The rescue act was thanks to a partnership of 127 between the youthful pair of Tom Greaves and Kallum Ward. Kallum hit 7 fours in reaching a maiden fifty in senior cricket before being caught but whilst together, the pair had caused problems for all the home side's bowlers. Tom Greaves demonstrated some superb clean hitting and scored 13 fours in passing his first ever century. The climax of this fascinating match was he and young George Garrott scoring 7 runs from the final over thus securing victory for Reed by 5 wickets with just 1 delivery remaining. Tom Greaves was 106 not out at the end.

Reed IIIs travelled to Southgate Adelaide IIIs on Saturday looking to get back to winning ways in their promotion push.Captain Peter Baker won the toss and elected to field first on an overcast afternoon, and the decision looked to be a good one as Reed’s youthful opening attack of Mitchell Cooper (10-2-14-0) and Kallum Ward (7-2-15-0) kept the Adelaide runs scoring to a minimum. However, despite the slow scoring rate Adelaide’s opening batsmen, Arnold and Ashmore, looked solid. It took a stunning one handed catch at mid off from the athletic Maseeh Naeem off of the bowling of Marcus Baker (8-2-25-2) to remove Ashmore. The wily Ian Roberts (12-8-2-2) then got in on the act, bowling both Hanif and Arnold to leave the home side struggling at 40-3. Things then got even worse for Adelaide as Baker picked up his second wicket, trapping Gilbert plumb LBW.Skipper Baker then tossed the ball to all rounder Ben Bowles, and Bowels set about ripping through the Adelaide middle order with his off breaks. Bowles ended up with figures of 12-4-31-4, including bowling the big hitting Elwood (31) to leave Southgate Adelaide 9 down for 103 in their allotted 47 Overs.In reply Reed sent out Aidan Swain and Peter Baker to open their innings, only for Swain to be well caught for 6 off of the bowling of Ashmore. Tom Greaves and Baker then took up the challenge of steadying the Reed innings, and did so brilliantly as they put on a partnership of 58 before Baker went, caught off of the bowling of Riaz for 16. Greaves was looking in fine form, and was finding the boundary rope on a regular basis, as he was joined by Matt [...]

At 1.30 on a day that all the weather forecasts predicted showers Reeds 3rd XI game against Sawbridgeworth IV got under way with white clouds and bright blue skies.  Hosts Reed used the ground at Little Haddam, which with its small boundaries suggested that a high scoring game was on the cards.  Having lost the toss Reed where put it into bat with openers Peter Baker and Aiden Swain putting on an stable 66 from 15 overs for the first wicket when Baker (31) was caught.  Tom Greaves then joined Swain and the pair continued to build Reeds total with some fine shots.  However, the promising partnership was spoiled when Greaves (15) missed a straight ball leaving Reed on 93 for 2 off 23.  Despite the many over remaining for the Reed batsmen to put on a large score, bad luck struck as a succession of batters came and went adding little to the total and with the eventual loss of Swain (52) Reed where in trouble.  Only John Kershaw (16) looked like he was going to offer any resistance before he was beautifully caught leaving Reed once again looking at a small score to defend.  However, in a potential life saving moment Mitchell Cooper (18) and Kallum Ward (5) added twenty off the last over, including two fine sixes from Cooper.  Reed finished their 47 over innings on 165 for 8.The Sawbridgeworths bowling was steady and consistent but special mention must go to Howard (20-4-73-8).As Reed went about defending their total they were increasingly frustrated as the Sawbridgeworth openers seemed perfectly able to find runs.  Chisnell (68) and Stead (82*) quickly went about the task.  The fielders became demoralised and annoyed at the quick [...]

The third eleven continued their run of bad luck in division eleven on Saturday as they lost, hosting Radlet fifths at Therfield.  Despite the heat the track was far from rock solid and the general consensus was it would be best to field first.  Captain Peter Baker actually lost the toss but was still asked to field by the Radlet captain.The opening bowling attack of Rupert Martin (8-2-12-0) and Kallum Ward (5-2-9-0) put early pressure on the batsmen who took their time in making their runs.  First change bowler Michael Robertson (8-0-52-2) made the brake through bowling Dexter (27) and other opener Foyez (15) soon fowled, caught by Alan Ward off the bowling of David Hill (6-0-31-1).  But number three batsman Griffiths (76) put up a fight and was able to find the boundary nicely.  With the runs coming off of the bat and mistakes being made by bowlers and in the field Reeds moral hit rock bottom.  The fight back only started as wickets started to fall again, Alan Ward (7-0-40-1) took a deserved wicket and spinner Jason Pallet (11.4-1-55-4) took four, two good catches by R. Martin and Ben Bowles, and a fine delivery taking out middle.  Radlet declared on the loss of their ninth wicket, keeper Marcus J.E. Baker stumping Rajpul (1) off Pallet.  The visitors posted the target of 216 for 9 off 46.4 overs, a total which was at least forty runs too many thanks mainly to the lull that Reed suffered mid way through the first innings.The second innings started badly for Reed as well, opener Ben Bowles (1) being surprised by the swing of Mansel (7.5-0-40-3) on his first ball.  Peter Baker (8) was then joined by M. [...]

Reeds third eleven did their part in what was a fantastic day for the club.  Hosting Pirton at Little Hadham captain Peter Baker, wanting to continue the teams run of success, won the toss and put the opposition into bat.In the field, Reed did not allow Pirton to take advantage of the small boundaries and restricted their run rate.  Only Hodges (55) and Beard (27) achieved any real progression as Pirton was eventually bowled all out for 145 from 41.4.  Pick of the bowlers was opener Rupert Martin (15-3-47-4) but the wickets were also spread amongst Kallum Ward (5-2-18-1), Ian Roberts (13-4-33-2) and Alan Ward (2.4-0-19-2) only Jason Pallet was unable to take a scalp but never the less ended with good figures of (6-0-26-0)Reeds chase started off shaky as  the first wicket fell in the fourth over and the second in the tenth, a further seven overs later with score only on 41, Reed lost its third wicket of Aiden Swain (22), unable to pick up his hat trick of half centuries, who was well caught from a dive by bowler Maple (11-4-33-2).  However, this loss bought Masseh Naeem to the crease who in typical form went about attacking the ball and with the loss of Ian Fulk for a brave 15, Naeem was joined by Alan Ward.  The two increased the run rate and frustrated the Pirton players as the pair put on a partnership of 78.  Naeem was eventually bowled for 58, but soon enough Alan Ward (26*) and Robert Willoughby (1*) were too returning to the pavilion having achieved the target and finishing on 149 for 5 from 33 overs.Of the Pirton bowling attack only Maple, Beard (6-0-27-1) and Andrew (12-1-50-2) [...]

Reed 3rd Xl got off to a solid start to the season despite fielding a mixed side with 6 senior cricket debutants including two Under 15 players and two Under 13 rookies.Put in by Preston Reed got off to a solid start with skipper Peter Baker scoring 29 before being dismissed with the score at 62. His opening partner Karl Ward, a late call up for his younger brother who withdrew with sickness, demonstrated fine early season form and set about the Preston bowling in vigorous style. Karl struck 19 x 4's and 5 x 6's as he raced to his first ever century and the first Reed Century of the new season before he retired on 116 not out with the overall Reed total approaching 200. This left veteran John Heslam batting with his 13 year old son William in a match for the first time, and the pair put together useful runs before Heslam senior departed for 33. Will struck a composed 27 and with Alan Ward contributing an unbeaten 20 Reed eventually totalled 265 for 9 off their 40 0vers.Facing a huge task to win Preston got off to a steady start as Reeds Under 15 bowling pairing of George Greaves and Alex West bowled very tidy opening spells. However, it was the even younger U13 pairing of Ollie Benham and Will Heslam who got amongst the early wickets as Preston slumped to 46-3. A revival followed as the Reed slow bowlers took something of a pasting at the hands of Prestons Saunders (70) and Wright (49). However, the introduction of Alan Ward into the attack broke the partnership and the pressure of the run chase finally told. Will Heslam 3-22 and [...]

The third eleven continued their run of bad luck in division eleven on Saturday as they lost, hosting Radlet fifths at Therfield.  Despite the heat the track was far from rock solid and the general consensus was it would be best to field first.  Captain Peter Baker actually lost the toss but was still asked to field by the Radlet captain. The opening bowling attack of Rupert Martin (8-2-12-0) and Kallum Ward (5-2-9-0) put early pressure on the batsmen who took their time in making their runs.  First change bowler Michael Robertson (8-0-52-2) made the brake through bowling Dexter (27) and other opener Foyez (15) soon fowled, caught by Alan Ward off the bowling of David Hill (6-0-31-1).  But number three batsman Griffiths (76) put up a fight and was able to find the boundary nicely.  With the runs coming off of the bat and mistakes being made by bowlers and in the field Reeds moral hit rock bottom.  The fight back only started as wickets started to fall again, Alan Ward (7-0-40-1) took a deserved wicket and spinner Jason Pallet (11.4-1-55-4) took four, two good catches by R. Martin and Ben Bowles, and a fine delivery taking out middle.  Radlet declared on the loss of their ninth wicket, keeper Marcus J.E. Baker stumping Rajpul (1) off Pallet.  The visitors posted the target of 216 for 9 off 46.4 overs, a total which was at least forty runs too many thanks mainly to the lull that Reed suffered mid way through the first innings. The second innings started badly for Reed as well, opener Ben Bowles (1) being surprised by the swing of Mansel (7.5-0-40-3) on his first ball.  Peter Baker (8) was then joined [...]