Reed’s Fourth XI were back to winning ways on Saturday despite three last minute drop-outs. It is testament to the strength of the Reed structure that sufficient colts were available and drafted-in to fill the vacancies. Botany Bay won the toss and batted first. Booth had been prolific until today but was bowled by Christian Martin for a single. Skitt held-out and nearly carried his bat for 45 although his only major support came from Bridges, (19). The teen-aged Matt Giblin bowled two spells each of 5 overs and returned the astonishing figures of 2 wickets for just 4 runs in those 10 overs; a superb example of controlled, line and length bowling. 3 wickets a-piece from Ian Roberts and Alan Ward ensured that Reed’s target was relatively low as Botany Bay were all-out for 121. For the first time this season Reed had to bat second and skipper Peter Baker chose utility batter Paul Garrott to accompany him. They set-off at 9 runs an over initially although the rate slowed down after a while. Baker scored 30 then Darren Radford hit an entertaining 20. In the 24th over Paul Garrott hit the winning runs with his eighth boundary and in so doing notched-up his own half-century finishing on 52 not out. Reed IVs are now in third position in their Division and look forward to their visit to second placed Hertford next week. Reed (30 points) beat Botany Bay (4 points) by 8 wickets.

Having finished their league duties Reed’s Fourth Eleven were free to play a friendly match against division ten side Boxmoor Seconds. The game was organised as 45 overs aside, win or lose no draw. Boxmoor batted first and openers C. Wright and P. Crawshaw made a solid start for the hosts, Wright was then eventually out chasing after a ball from Lloyd Bowman (5-0-28-1) and hitting it to Peter Baker in the covers for 45. Boxmoor then had a series of batsmen who all made contributions to the total. Lewis Fitzgerald (9-0-27-2) made P. Crawshaw (62) his second wicket having kept a good line and length. Boxmoor finished 45 overs on 216 for 3. In reply Reed’s batsmen did not share in the same ability to score runs. After some early, cheap wickets Reed were in trouble at 50 for 4 having lost George Garrott (18) who had looked comfortable at the crease. Robert Willoughby added a hard hit 14, before Marcus J.E. Baker made a partnership with his brother Kieran Willoughby. The pair successfully stopped the flow of wickets and frustrated the Boxmoor bowlers for a time until M.J.E. Baker (30) chose the wrong ball to swing at and ended up bowled. K. Willoughby (18) remained at the crease for a while with the Reed tail but Reed were eventually all out for 119.

Another week, another chance missed. Reed fourth eleven ended up losing again this time against Baldock playing at the ground in Weston. The hosts won the toss and decided to bat first. Baldock had a steady innings, although not losing wickets they never looked like batting the game away from Reed. After early wickets from Alex West (12-2-35-2), R. Watts (38) and D. Plums (66) made a successful partnership until Reed captain Peter Baker (10-1-41-2) had both caught by Hunter Diack playing the same shot. There was also impressive bowling from Lewis Fitzgerald (8-1-28-0) and Ian Roberts (11-8-12-0) both of whom kept the run rate low. After a run out from Alan Ward Baldock finished their 47 overs on 157 for 5. Baldock made the interesting decision to open the bowling with spinner J. Bracken (15.3-2-45-5), that decision was proved the right one as P. Baker was out on the second ball of Reeds innings having a top edge caught behind. Darren Radford (16) then joined the returning David Johnson (22) playing his first game in several years as the two re-started the innings. After a promising partnership was ended early with both out Reed were once again in trouble at 49 for 3. None the less Reed still had the ability to get to their target and Marcus J.E. Baker (33) led the way, he was supported by Sam Deville (8) and Hunter Diack (11) as Reed went pass the hundred mark. But Reed hit a road block as wickets again started to fall and with the loss of Alan Ward (20) it was left to the tail to find the runs required. Despite good efforts by everyone Reed lost their final wicket 14 [...]