George Garrott put in a crucial performance with the ball to get Reed back to winning ways. The victory released a measure of the tension that has been building with recent results not going in Reed's favour. The toss won, Marcus Martin elected to bat first and let hosts Hemel Hempstead suffer under the hot July sun. However, it was Reeds opening batsman who were feeling the heat as the opening salvos had them in trouble. The loss of a wicket brought Reed's vice-captain Phil Frenay to the crease who stamped his authority on the match with an almighty biff down the ground first ball. There on, the partnership of Frenay and prolific batsman Richard Johnson added 66 attacking runs. Johnson’s loss for 29 brought Martin to the crease who wasted little time in scoring runs as he and his deputy added a further 44 to the cause. The introduction of spin proved a crucial factor as Frenay was bowled for 49. For a time Martin had to be patient and wait for the bad ball. Things were turning in Reed's favour when Martin’s captain's knock ended, chopping on for 45. Injecting some energy into Reed's innings was the ever-enthusiastic Rhodri Hughes whose unique style proved perfect for the situation. He and the talented all-rounder Jack Caine ran rings around Hemel with quick and daring running and boundary hitting. It was an impressive display of youthful confidence and fitness. Caine (22) and Hughes (29) took Reed to a final score of 237 for 8. An early wicket to Pete Tidey removed Hemel’s captain. Jack Caine opening from the other ended bowled perhaps his finest spell of the year and although wicketless it put huge pressure [...]

The perfect overhead bowling conditions did little to help Reed's guests Hemel Hempstead III at The Green as opening batsman Richard Barlow and Richard Johnson put on a century stand. Having been inserted by Hemel, Reed were keen to bounce back from the disappointments of the week before and so put their trust in two of the club's classiest stroke makers. Both were in imperious form, running rings around the opposition fielders. With the prospect of a big score Reed were in a buoyant mood however the drinks break was enough time to break the concentration of Barlow who fell short of fifty. Johnson and number three Stuart Smith took little time in making up for lost time as Smith counter attacked. With 200 close on the horizon Smith fell to a well taken catch behind by the keeper standing up. Closing in on his maiden second team century Johnson was allowed to be nervous but a mix up between the batsmen after both thought the ball had ricocheted beyond the bowler saw Johnson’s incredible innings end with him just seven short of three figures. With time running out Reeds big final score was diminishing rapidly with some sensible bowling and field placements from Hemel. But contributions from Ed Garrott, M.J.E. Baker and George Garrott saw Reed post a still intimidating 255 for 6. In the second innings, with rain starting to fall, Reed were keen to get through the overs to make sure that if rain did stop play they had enough overs under their belt to constitute a match. Therefore opening with the evergreen Peter Tidey was the skipper Marcus Martin. The ploy seemed a good one as Martin struck straight away. Pete [...]