National Village Cup champions Reed Cricket Club began the defence of their trophy on Sunday with a comfortable victory over their 2012 Herts & Beds final opponents Eaton Bray.Eaton Bray elected to bat first on a sunny afternoon on a typically run-filled looking Reed wicket and fast outfield. They got off to a steady start reaching 40-0 off 13 overs before Jack Tidey (9-1-15) got the wicket he deserved in a fine opening spell. Next over Heslam ran out the other opener to set back Eaton Bray to 40-2. However, this brought what appeared the visitors two best batsmen to the crease and they proceeded to form a dangerous looking partnership taking the score to 87-2 off 25 overs. At this point Eaton Bray were in the game but when Cooper smartly caught a firmly struck shot at mid-off off the bowling of Greaves (9-2-45) the game changed again. Hosking (34) continued to threaten but when he was expertly run out by Chris Jackson the visitors hopes of a competitive score looked unlikely. This proved to be the case as they finished on 135-8 off their 40 overs kept in check by the reliable Mitchell Cooper (9-1-22).In reply Reed raced to 35 off just 5 overs before James Heslam departed for a free scoring 23. This however only brought Greaves to the crease who along with William Heslam soon took the attack to the Eaton Bray bowlers. Although William Heslam fell for an impressive 43 off 42 balls, Greaves carried his bat for an entertaining 57 off 34 balls including a huge six into the road. Mitchell Cooper made 6* as Reed reached their target in just 17 overs. Reed will play Herts Division 2 [...]

On Sunday Reed traveled to Baldock Town to play in there first Sunday League match of the season. It started well for skipper Tom Greaves when he won the toss and elected to bat. Reed opened with Peter Baker and Sean Tidey, together they put on 28 for the first wicket before Baker was bowled for 8. Richard Johnson joined Tidey at the crease and together they set about building a partnership before Tidey was bowled for a quick fire 67 which included 10 fours and 2 sixes both over wide long on. Marcus J.E.Baker came to the crease with the score at 94-2 and with good running and a few boundaries kept Reed scoring at a good rate before Johnson (43) was caught and M.J.E.Baker was run out for 36. Reed then lost 4 quick wickets as Graham Letford ripped through Reed’s middle order taking 4-35 off his 4 overs. Some big hitting from last man Tom Greaves got Reed over the 175 mark and gave them their bonus batting point. Greaves ending on 22 not out which included 2 huge sixes. Reed ended on 189 from their allotted overs.In reply, Baldocks innings did not start well when opener Berkit was run out in the first over without facing a ball. This however brought Gentle to the crease who along with J.Wrist put together a little partnership before the impressive youngster Joe Graves (6-0-30-1) made the breakthrough. Letford joined J.Wrist and another partnership was beginning to build before Graham Stuart bowled Wrist for a well made 28. Saunders and Letford set about reaching Reed’s impressive total scoring fluently before Stuart took his second of the game removing Letford for a well crafted 32. Greaves [...]