The 1st XI lost out in a close game to Chorleywood on Saturday as they were unable to match the high standards they have set in the recent excellent run. On a scorching day the visitors won the toss and unsurprisingly chose to bat. Although Toby Fynn (10-39-1) took an early wicket Chorleywood got off to a reasonable start on what looked a decent batting wicket as they reached 55-1 off 14 overs with the Reed fielding a little under par at times in the heat. However the reliable Jack Tidey (10-33-3) then struck three times in quick succession to reduce the visitors to 71-4. Phil Lill (10-24-4) then came on and continued his fine performances with the ball putting Reed well on top with Chorleywood reduced to 125-9 also helped by a good spell by Tom Greaves (10-40-1). Although the last wicket added 32, when Reece Fitzgerald (1-1-1) took the last wicket the final score of 157 all out on a decent track looked well within Reed’s reach. However, the home side got off to an unusually rocky start as James Heslam went for just 5 and then William Heslam (14) and Chris Jackson (0) departed leaving Reed 39-3 off 15 overs. To be fair to Chorleywood their bowling has been performing pretty well all season and they bowled tightly and with a fair bit of seam movement potentially helped by a new ball which had to be swapped after just 14 overs. At this point Reed then began to dig in as required and turn the tide as the inform Greaves (40) and Smith (27) took the score along to 86-3 off 28 overs. Another flurry of wickets then brought Chorleywood back into the [...]

Reed gained an important win on Saturday as they avoided the wet weather to win their 4th game out of 6 in the Herts Championship. Given the weather forecast and a wicket that would offer the bowlers some assistance skipper Heslam had no hesitation in electing to field despite missing opening bowler Jack Tidey through injury. Toby Fynn was delighted to take the new ball and immediately caused the Chorleywood top order problems with his pace and direction. It wasn’t long before he rushed opener Rose into a mistimed pull shot and then had Aspinall well caught behind by Sean Tidey. Mitchell Cooper also impressed bowling with good zip and getting a well deserved wicket as Chorleywood were set back at 55-3. The introduction of spinner Tom Greaves to the attack tightened Reed’s grip on the game as he bowled with flight and guile and alongside Fynn and Mutucumarana put a squeeze on reducing the home side to 115-6 at lunch. Reed were determined to continue the attack after the interval and Fynn (18-58-5) and Greaves (14.3-39-4) completed the job as Chorleywood were all out for 150 in 45 overs. Reed changed the batting order slightly to accommodate the declining weather conditions and despite an early loss Greaves (44) scored freely at number 3 and put on 60 with Heslam (21) for the 2nd wicket in quick time. Although both went soon after, Mutucumarana played calmly for a classy 26 putting Reed in control at 116-4. However there were rain interruptions occurring which made it difficult for the Reed batsman including not knowing how many risks to take to score the runs quickly. When Stuart Smith and Cooper were taken off for a lengthy rain [...]