A weekend of incredibly poor availability for a variety of legitimate reasons meant that the two’s hosted St Albans with a weaker than usual side. However, Tim Tidey skippering the side preferred to look at the situation as a fantastic opportunity for a number of talented players to prove themselves at a higher standard. Jack Caine (12) and Richard Johnson (13) opened the Reed innings and were just starting to make their mark when Johnson edged behind a good delivery giving the visitors their first wicket. Two more soon followed leaving Reed struggling at 35 for 3. Marcus J.E. Baker came out at number 5 to join Reed's 14 year old protégé Mike Catt. The pair was patient in waiting for the bad balls to pick up their runs and gradually with some time a partnership began to form. The young Mike Catt was certainly impressing with a display of good technique and temperament. Baker eventually started to bludgeon a few balls to the boundary and was looking set for a big and dominant innings when the slightest of edges was taken behind with Baker walking back to the pavilion for 29. Catt continued his steady innings before unexpectedly missing one, leaving the field also for 29. Only George Garrott (12) and Pete Tidey (12*) made it into double figures as Reed's innings ended well short of a par score on 134. Going all out to take ten wickets Reed's young fielders put in a dedicated and spirited performance in support of their bowlers. Pete Tidey showed a lot of fight and gave perhaps his best performance of the year removing the St Albans opener, bowling 15-4-29-1. Karl Ward also gave his best despite going [...]

Reed Seconds made the journey to St Albans for the last match of May. Once again availability was poor throughout the club and so the second eleven were giving several players a great opportunity to prove themselves at the slightly higher standard. In the presence of the large, classic pavilion, a throw back to the ‘Golden Era’, Marcus Martin won the toss and decided to bat. Despite a great looking batting track Reed really struggled against the opening bowlers of A. Button and R. O’Toole. Both bowlers were getting the ball to move and table-topping Reed were being humbled by their hosts. Slumping to a disastrous 30 for 5 Reed were in real peril. However, St Albans captain R. O’Toole was forced to take himself off due to a strain as well as A. Button due to age restrictions. This moment proved to be the crucial one of the match. The pressure was immediately lifted as the young first change bowlers struggled to find the right line as wides started to come thick and fast, with extras becoming top scorer. Martin and number 7 Matt Bowles worked hard to save the situation for Reed. Putting on 50 for the 6th wicket when Martin (21) fell. Karl Ward replacing him played some fluid shots early on and he and Bowles continued to fight back adding 56. With each run Reed gained some confidence as they gradually made a total to defend. A single loss of concentration cost Bowles his wicket but his superb innings of 32 was the backbone of the visitors' score. Ward then worked with the tail and in the process reminded everyone of his true all-round abilities with a timely 55. It was [...]