Reed 2s fell just short in a close game away at Broxbourne 2s on Saturday. The day started well for Reed as stand in captain Karl Ward won the toss and inserted the hosts, a decision that looked to have paid off after one over as veteran Peter Tidey (10-2-31-3) removed both Robinson and Ferguson to leave Broxbourne reeling on 1-2. Both wickets courtesy of sharp catches in the slips by Rhodri Hughes and George Garrott. Any hopes Reed had of removing the home side cheaply soon evaporated however, as Humphries (40) and O'Sullivan (50) counter attacked to great effect. Tidey eventually removed Humphries, but number 5 Kay (65) batted sensibly as Broxbourne built steadily. The introduction of Alex Kelly (10-0-44-1) and the wily spin of Matt Bowles (10-1-32-1) slowed the rate and Bowles soon picked up the wicket of O'Sullivan. Some late order hitting from Kay, Preston and Pegg got the hosts over 200, but Ward (9-1-43-2) returned to take late wickets alongside Garrott (1.3-0-7-2) to finish the innings off at 205 all out. Reed's reply got off to a stuttering start as Bowles and Richard Johnson both fell cheaply to leave the visitors on 30-2. Richard Barlow (39) and Garrott (52) rebuilt well and took the score beyond one hundred before Barlow fell LBW to Gore. When Rhodri Hughes fell cheaply, Mikey Robertson (20) and Garrott upped the anti as Reed searched for the required 6 runs per over to grab victory. Unfortunately for Reed Garrott and Robertson both fell to good catches by the home side keeper. Some late resistance from Owen Hughes (13) and Tim Tidey (11 not out) gave some brief hope of victory but Reed fell 20 short as [...]