The 1st XI made it 3 wins in 4 matches with a hard fought but convincing win over close league rivals Flitwick. Flitwick won the toss and elected to bat on a warm sunny day at the green. Jack Tidey made an important early breakthrough for Reed by clean bowling the dangerous Jimmy Hart for 2. However, Tidey made a more crucial breakthrough later on producing a brute of a delivery to also clean bowl prolific Bedfordshire batsman George Thurstance (35) who had started in ominous form. This left the game well balanced with the visitors 60-2 off 13 overs. During this period of the game Reed turned to their reliable spin triplet of Tom Greaves, Phil Lill and Reece Fitzgerald who all bowled with good control. Unfortunately for Reed though a 5th wicket partnership between Russell (89) and Beds all-rounder Jake Higginbotham (30) put the visitors in a decent position at 177-4 with 15 overs to go. However some crucial breakthroughs from Greaves (18-2-71) and the once again impressive Fitzgerald (12-2-24) got Reed firmly back into the game with the visitors eventually ending their innings on 221-8 off 60 overs. In reply Reed got off to an excellent start with Will Heslam particularly looking in fine form following his 82 the week before. The home side raced to another 100 opening stand before Will Heslam was unfortunately out for an excellent 56 off 58 balls. This set back could have changed the course of the game but James Heslam and Tom Greaves steadied the ship and as Heslam went past 50 he accelerated as the pair put on another fine century stand. Despite an excellent spell by Thurstance keeping Flitwick in the game once he [...]

Reed returned to winning ways with a challenging and hard fought win over 3rd placed Flitwick on Saturday. With the pitch looking fairly green after a mixed week of weather Flitwick won an important toss and made advantage of the lively wicket and new ball reducing Reed to 47-3 after 12 overs despite Rich Wharton’s 21. The situation didn’t get much better for Reed when this became 73-5. Australian quick Jordan Leiman and Edward Sharpe each picking up 2 wickets for the home side. Reed did recover to 112-5 before Greaves fell for 21 just as he was starting to break free. All this time Reed stalwart Chris Jackson (61 not out) was superbly holding the Reed innings together for the 2nd time this season and he continued to do this receiving some support from Reeds lower order. This enabled Reed to bat their overs and post a below par score of 186 all out in 48.5 overs but one which at least gave them hope. Reed needed early wickets and that is what they got from the destructive Jack Tidey (10-2-26) who bowled with pace and accuracy. Greaves was brought into the attack early by skipper Heslam with the hope of removing danger man George Thurstance and when he duly obliged with a beautiful delivery well stumped by Wharton Flitwick were in trouble at 34-3 which included a wicket for Tom Walsingham who opened up with Tidey. Although Reed had taken early wickets on what was now a decent batting wicket and quickening outfield the home side probably remained favourites particularly with the likes of minor counties player Higginbotham at the crease. However, Tidey had other ideas removing the beds batsman for 1. At [...]