Reed continued their league campaign with another solid victory, over Broxbourne at the Freman College ground. Peter Baker lost the toss and was asked to bat first by the visiting captain. The track was solid and flat and for once the weather was forecast for a lovely day. Peter Baker again opened with a Garrott, this time it was George Garrotts turn as he and Baker made a good start for Reed. The score was 69 when G. Garrott was bowled for 35 (8x4’s), this wicket brought Roddy Liebenberg to the crease. Recovering from injury, the recently moved Reed resident made his presence known as he made runs easily, hitting the ball hard past the young side. At the Freman ground when the ball has got past the infield its almost certainly going to make it to the boundary no matter how hard you strike the ball, but just to be sure Liebenberg smashed the ball and quickly overtook P. Baker. With the score on 206 from only 27 overs Reed lost Baker for a well crafted 50, which brought in Sam Deville (8) who was unfortunate not to find the same success he found last week. Marcus J.E. Baker then came to the crease and was there when Liebenberg (100) reached three figures with one of very few singles in his innings (82 runs in boundaries, 16x4 & 3x6). M.J.E. Baker and Alan Ward then continued to frustrate Broxbourne after Liebenberg’s retirement as they tried to get as many runs as possible on the board by the fortieth over. However, the declaration actually came an over earlier and after 39 overs Reed had finished on 296 for 7. M.J.E. Baker had struck 22 but [...]

Match report to follow

Match report to follow

Victory was just out of Reeds grasp in this thrilling game played against Bentley Heath at the Freman College Ground. Skipper Alan Ward won the toss and elected to bat first. Missing the usual openers and prolific scorers in Paul and George Garrott, John Kershaw and Marcus J.E. Baker did their best to fill their shoes, however Kershaw (4) fell victim to a good catch at point. Peter Bradford scored 10 but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals and Reed looked in real trouble. But things could have been a lot worse if it were not for Baker who played an essential innings and made a partnership of 100 when he was joined by Ian Roberts (37). Finding the boundary with ease Baker struck some class drives and pull shots to frustrate the opposition captain and to punish the bowlers taking them for close to twenty runs in an over on several occasions. He brought up his 50 in just 36 balls and reached three figures in only 62 hitting 21 fours and 3 sixes damaging not only the bowler’s figures but the windows of the pavilion. But when Herbert (4.2-0-19-3) let go of a lose one Bakers eyes lit up but only connected with the side of his bat and was eventually out caught for 113 leaving Reed on 188 for 6 from only 24 overs. Nick Green scored 12 but Reed were all out for 227 in only 30 overs leaving the opposition 60 overs to chase it down. Things got even worse for Reed in the second innings when they lost the experience of their main wicket taker Roberts when he was forced to leave the field due to a nasty [...]

Reed lost the toss and batted first when they hosted Berkhamsted at the Freman college ground. Openers Aiden Swain and Peter Baker went along at a casual rate until Baker was caught for 25. Swain reached 57 before being bowled with the score on 114 for 3 from 33 overs, the outfield not giving away as many runs as it has done in the past due to the recent bad weather. John Heslam hit 38 and Marcus J.E. Baker 26 but both were out prematurely and Reed finished all out for 180. Christian Martin (10-2-42-1) and Lewis Fitzgerald (11-1-38-1) dealt with the openers in Reeds defence. The returning Ian Roberts also bowled well but only came away with the single wicket for 23. Dominic McOmish took two good wickets thanks to a catch from Aiden Swain and a stumping from M.J.E. Baker after spinning it the other way to fool Butler. However, in the mean time Swale (109*) had scored with some heavy hitting to see his side home with seven balls remaining, winning by 4 wickets.