A fantastic team performance saw Reed achieve another victory in the North Herts League on the first Sunday of July when they hosted Welwyn Garden City. Stand in captain Marcus J.E. Baker won the toss and elected to bat first.His decision proved a good one as opening pair Matt Bowles and Rhodri Hughes partnered together to make 83. Although patient and cautious the solid platform gave something for Reed to work with. Hughes was caught for 15 and Bowles soon followed him for a superb 58, all the better considering this was only his second innings back from a major career threatening injury. Ray Kingshott then played an important innings as Reed went through a slump during the 20-30 overs period. The hosts limped to 97 for 5. What followed was what can only be described as one of the great heavy hitting assaults seen at The Green. Sean Tidey only batted for 12 overs and faced a paltry 42 balls. But in that time he amassed an astonishing 112 not out. His knock came from 36 scoring shots and included eleven fours and seven sixes. Thanks to Tidey and a brief cameo at the end from Baker (12*) Reed posted the score of 235 for 7.The beautiful weather had brought out a substantial crowd to watch the game and after the interval Reed went about the task of taking ten wickets. Despite Tideys heroics with the bat, Reed had only posted what should have been a par score and with Welwyns opening pair looking proficient it was still going to be a battle. Bowling down the hill first up was Tom Walsingham (1-12) with Jack Caine coming up. Both started well although the opposition [...]

Holders Reed Crash Out of National Village Cup!After tasting the ultimate glory of winning the Lords Final last September, National Village Cricket Cup Champions Reed slumped to a shock defeat in their Herts and Beds Group Quarter Final tie away v Wheathampstead on Sunday. A confident Reed had gone into the tie strong favourites to beat their Saracens Herts League rivals who occupy a mid-table place in SHCL Division 2 compared to Reed currently topping SHCL Division 1. However, after an appalling batting display that saw them dismissed for just 71 all out in under 27 overs Reed lost their match by 75 runs.The day had started well for Reed. Skipper James Heslam won the toss and invited Wheathampstead to bat first. Reed struck early with Lee Johnson inducing an outside edge from opener M Winchester but from 12-1 the home side moved on to 53-2 and then 77-3 at which point Reeds Mitchell Cooper struck and removed the dangerous Andy Winchester after he had compiled a solid innings of 42. Next over another Winchester (R) departed for 11 and 2 more quick wickets followed as Wheathampstead tumbled to 92-6. Dabare 23 and Norris 17* struck some lusty blows before Reeds most successful bowler Cooper (9 overs 4 for 37) took 2 wickets in successive balls. The tidy Karl Ward chipped in with 2 for 5 in 1.4 overs and closed out the home sides innings at 146 all out in 39.4 overs. The total did not seem formidable and the wicket had presented no demons to the home side. Given Reeds record in this competition few amongst the sizeable travelling support could imagine what was to follow after the tea interval.Things started to go [...]

On Sunday a strong Reed side entertained Stevenage III in the Herts Sunday League, Captain Tom Greaves won the toss and elected to bat on a good wicket. Peter Baker and Richard Johnson opened the batting and put on 29 for the first wicket before Baker was dismissed for 9. With the score on 29-1 Karl Ward joined Johnson and together scored runs freely, reaching the boundary on a regular basis. Both Passed 50 and went searching for centuries before Johnson (79) was caught off the bowling of Day (6-0-44-1). Jack Caine (15) accompanied Ward for 9 overs before he was caught off the bowling of Slater (3-0-23-1). Rhodri Hughes fell shortly after for 4. Ward was guided through the 90's by captain Greaves. Ward ended up on 111 not out before retiring. Sean Tidey replaced Ward at the crease and together with Greaves accumulated runs quickly with lusty blows and hard running. Greaves ending on 15 not out and Tidey caught off the last ball for 32. Reed finishing on 294-5 off their 40 overs.After tea, Stevenage set about Reed’s big total but could not get their innings going as Tom Walsingham (6-3-14-4) picked up wickets regularly and Joe Graves (5-2-14-0) was unfortunate not to get a wicket. Greaves replaced Walsingham and Graves with Michael Robertson and Tidey. Both bowled economically and took wickets with Robertson (5-2-14-2) bowling with good pace beating the bat on many occasions. With Stevenage on 30-9 number 10 Hutton hit Hughes for 17 off his only over and before Tidey (3.4-2-3-3) finished the game bowling Simmonds for 6. Stevenage all out for 68, Reed winning by 226 runs.

On Sunday Reed entertained Tewin at The Green. Reed lost the toss and were asked to field. Jack Caine and Jack Tidey opened the bowling. Caine bowled particularly well beating the bat on many occasions. Caine dismissed 4 of the top 5 batsmen ending up with figures of 7-4-14-4. Caine was replaced by Tom Walsingham who picked up the wicket of Ayleiff (42). Jack Tidey was replaced by Brother Sean who bowled with variation, ending up with figures of 8-3-23-3. Rob Willoughby and debutant Rob Lewis both took a wicket each. Lewis particularity showing his talents and impressing with the ball.After Tea, Tom Greaves and Mitchell Cooper opened the batting before cooper (1) was dismissed in the 7th over with the score on 39. Greaves was joined by Richard Barlow and together they put on 19 before Greaves was dismissed for a quickfire 52. 58-2 became 58-3 when Willoughby was removed without scoring. Barlow was joined by Stuart Smith with Smith playing aggressively taking the score up to 101 before Barlow was bowled for 3. Lewis joined Smith and looked to tee off from ball one. however, he was bowled for 0. Sean Tidey joined Smith with the score on 102 and together they rebuilt the innings. Tidey also played aggressively hitting 53 not out which included 4 consecutive sixes to win the match. Smith ending up 49 not out (8x4's, 1x6)

Reed gave a disappointing account of themselves with the bat when they played away to neighbours Therfield and Kelshall in the North Herts League. Stand in skipper Marcus J.E. Baker won the toss and decided that with the strength of his side batting first would be the best way of gaining maximum points.The attacking opening partnership of Sean Tidey and Michael Robertson made 18 from the first 2 overs but it was not long before Reed lost their first wicket. Holmes, Richer and Harper, each taking 3 wickets, bowled well on their home turf as Reed’s skilled and potential filled order failed to settle at the crease. Robertson, S.Tidey, John Kershaw, Tom Walsingham and Peter Baker each scored 12 with Cam Taylor (14) and Number 11 Joe Graves making 11 not out. The only major contribution came from Jack Tidey whose 36 was crucial in getting Reed to 175 all out. The target his side set was not the dominating one Baker had hoped for but none the less he had full confidence in his bowlers to take the required 10 wickets. Taylor and Walsingham both had superb opening spells but the partnership of Paul and Martin Leary proved stubborn. Eventually Walsingham was rewarded with Martin Leary (29) edging a catch behind. Michael Robertson (1-35) also looked potent in his spell accounting for the second wicket to fall. However, Paul Leary continued playing with patience and caution and refused to budge as his innings of 58 took Therfield closer and closer to victory. His one loose shot proved his downfall as Sean Tidey took a catch at midwicket from his brother Jack. Jack Tidey (2-17) was determined to hold back the hosts as the overs [...]

Reed’s Sunday 1st XI got their season off to a solid start with a win away at Preston on a chilly Sunday afternoon. Skippered by Tom Greaves, Reed lost the toss and were asked to bat. Sean Tidey and Richard Johnson opened up for Reed and made a positive start, with Tidey timing the ball nicely, albeit mostly straight at the opposition fielders, much to their dismay. Johnson was a little more reserved, and was unfortunate to get a ball that ‘stopped’ on him a little as he dollied up a catch to mid on, for a change.Marcus Martin joined Tidey at the crease, and used his small frame to his advantage as he was able to ignore the blustery wind far more effectively than many of his team mates. Tidey eventually perished on 20 whilst trying to hit the ball at a passing plane. Tom Greaves, Mitchell Cooper, Tim Tidey and Richard Barlow all failed to add significantly to the total, leaving Martin to patiently cut and cut his way to a well made 38, before he was deceived by a straight delivery that he left onto middle stump. This left Reed in some trouble with only one wicket left, and barely 120 on the board, however debutant u15 Rob Lankester and his significantly more experienced batting partner Tom Walsingham (u17) demonstrated to the rest of the team how to build a partnership as they stroked the ball around magnificently. Lankester eventually finishing 30 not out when Walsingham fell. Reed all out for a competitive looking 177.After demolishing the notoriously excellent Preston teas, Reed’s players threw on their 3 jumpers each and made their way onto the cold, blustery outfield in a manner resembling [...]

On Sunday Reed played Preston at The Green in a friendly match. Reed lost the toss and were asked to field. however at 28-7 the loss of toss seemed to be working well for Reed. Jack Tidey and Tom Walsingham opened the bowling with pace and accuracy. Tidey returning impressive figures of 8-4-26-4 and Walsingham 8-1-17-1 was unlucky not to get more wickets. Karl Ward and Jack Caine replaced Walsingham and J.Tidey and carried on where they left off Ward bowling a consistent line and good length taking 4-28 from his 8 overs. Reed struggled to pick up the final wicket and captain Greaves turned to his 'go to' bowlers Sean Tidey (3-0-11-0) and Mitchell Cooper (2-0-10-0) however they could not take the final wicket and it was up to Greaves (1-5) to take the final wicket dismissing Burleigh for 29. Preston recovering well and finishing on 133 all out.In Reply Reed had no trouble early on as Greaves and Stuart Smith reached a 50 partnership in just 7 overs before Greaves was caught for 34. Smith (15) was caught behind in the next over leaving Reed 50-2. Michael Robertson and Mitchell Cooper batted together for 5 overs before Robertson was bowled. S.Tidey joined Cooper with the score on 65-3 and with rain around they decided to 'get on with it' and they did so with big hitting and inventive shots chasing the final 70 runs in just 7 overs. Cooper ended 41 not out with Tidey 34 not out

Reed closed out June with a win over Rosslyn in the North Herts League. Having travelled down to the North London side, Reed was asked to bat first on the green topped pitch.Stuart Smith and Marcus J.E. Baker started the innings well against the hosts opening attack. Smith in particular looked in a confident mood as he played the ball with ease, including an effortless six early on, over long on. The pair had the potential to set up a strong platform for their side when Baker was bowled for 23 with the score on 43. Smith would continue and would eventually reach his half century before falling soon after. Despite having a strong batting side the very slow left arm of Silva (2-18) frustrated the visitors as they struggled to get him away. After Smith and Bakers opening knocks the rest of the order all got starts but could not push on. Peter G. Baker (13), Rhodri Hughes (10), Scott Caine (14), Rob Willoughby (14) and Michael Robertson (14) all chipped in to take Reed to 165 all out in 39 overs. This gave the opposition an extra over to chase Reeds total which was 10 runs short of the batting bonus point.In the second innings Reeds bowlers gave a very impressive display. First up Josh Conley and Michael Robertson both beat the bat and unfortunately the stumps on countless occasions. Robertson had the players hearts in their mouths as the ball missed by the very thinnest of margins. Whilst Conley (1-30) used his height and in-swing to claim Reeds first wicket LBW. Rob Willoughby would replace Conley and bowl a superb spell which accounted for 3 of the opposition, two thanks to catches [...]

It was a tense finish to an exciting game as Reed and Gravely battled it out in the North Herts League. Marcus J.E. Baker had lost the toss and the hosting captain had no hesitation in inserting Reed at the sloped ground overlooking the village of Gravely. Reed could boast to having a strong all round team and so batting first was certainly not an upset and Sean Tidey proved as much with an incredible first over. The outfield looked fast and the boundaries short and S. Tidey went about exploiting both facts as he smashed the ball in an awesome salvo of big hitting. The first over went for 20 runs and 10 more coming from the second. He would continue in the same manner making 61 in 7 overs before falling with the score on 71 for 3. Earlier Rob Lankaster had also opened the Reed innings and had looked his usual composed self playing a lovely drive through the covers for four but was bowled by one coming back into him the very next ball. Mike Robertson had also been unfortunate when caught from one popping up off the shoulder of his bat.Although Reed had an early high score the loss of wickets were becoming an issue. What was required was a partnership and Jack Caine and Lloyd Bowman duly supplied one. Playing a more reserved innings to their colleague both worked the ball around nicely finding the gaps. The pair had played together for 9 overs when Caine tried putting one over mid-off but ended caught for a mature 40. Bowman would soon follow given out caught behind for an essential 18 leaving Reed on 135 for 5 from only 21 [...]

On Sunday, Reed entertained Eastside at The Green. Eastside won the toss and had no hesitation in choosing to bat first. Tom Walsingham took the new ball and was getting some useful inswing in the overcast conditions. Along with the additional pace and bounce of Jack Tidey, Reed picked up some early wickets. J.Tidey (3-28) and Walsingham (2-23) made regular inroads and had Eastside at 60-5 before a good partnership between Zeeshan and Babber occurred. Babber in particular exploited the fast outfield playing his way to a lusty 67 before he was caught by Jack Tidey off the bowling of Skipper Tom Greaves (1-1-0-1) . Jack Caine and Joe Graves both impressed with the ball and were unfortunate not to pick up a wicket. Sean Tidey took the final 2 wickets as Eastside finished on 199 all out. After tea, Reed set about chasing down the target and got off to a poor start as they lost Tom Greaves in the second over. However, Stuart Smith and Sean Tidey came together and set about rebuilding the innings. Tidey in particular was finding the boundary fluently as he raced to 50. Smith also began to find the gaps and punish any loose balls. Smith departed for a well crafted 49, putting on 141 for the second wicket. Karl Ward joined Tidey as he blugeouned his way towards a century. Tidey played his way through the 'nervous 90's' with confidence and brought up 3 figures much to the delight of the home spectators. Ward departed for 15 which bought Under 15 Jack Caine to the crease. Caine played with ease and flare as he hit 3 consecutive boundaries to finish the game 13*. Tidey was 101* as [...]