Having lost 3 recent close games from a winning position, the Firsts seemed destined to throw away another against Flitwick. Needing just 136, they collapsed to 114 for 7, but this time an unbroken eighth wicket stand saw them home. The hosts at fist seemed on course for a big total when they cruised to 77 for 1, but for once it was the opposition who collapsed. Only two batters reached double figures as Zac McGuigan and Tom Greaves tore through their line up with the help of two terrible run outs. When both Thurstances were dismissed without scoring, the innings started to unwind, (McGuigan the instigator with an LBW and run out). Then Sri Lankan Wankhade holed out to Bertie Scott from Greaves's bowling for 63. 123-6 at lunch soon became 135 all out as Greaves (4-24) and Scott with a wicket maiden polished off the tail. A special mention should be made of McGuigan who, in Toby Fynn's absence, bowled unchanged throughout the innings, never dropping his express pace to record figures of 20-3-77-3, which made sure the Flitwick batters were unable to settle. In a mirror image of their innings, Reed started well with Rob Lankester (38) and McGuigan (28) mastering Flitwick's talented spin trio, taking the score to 75 for 2. However the inevitable collapse of the middle order happened with Lankester's demise. Skipper George Thurstance then rolled the dice with the introduction of leggie, Lowe, who immediately bowled McGuigan with his first ball and Greaves with his fifth. 22 were needed by the last 3 wickets and as Reed lost the same number for no runs against Old Owens when only 6 were required, the writing was on the wall. [...]

For the second successive game a century stand led Reed to a comfortable victory over Flitwick. This time, the partnership of 109 was between Rob Lankester (83 not out) and Zac McGuigan (40). However, when Flitwick cruised to 80 for their first wicket it looked like they were destined for a big score. The game turned when Lankester rose to catch skipper George Thurstance at mid-off just as he was set and three more quick wickets left Flitwick 86 for 4. Karl Ward (10-2-35-2) was the chief architect of the collapse. Yet it was another 60 runs before Reed captured the next wicket when McGuigan returned and from then on a string of dismissals left the visitors 207 all out. Tom Greaves in particular caught the eye with 2-20 from his 10 overs while Toby Fynn mopped up the tail. Reed started their reply slowly losing their two openers, who had scored so freely last week, but the third wicket partnership swung the match as Lankester especially tucked into the spinners with 9 boundaries and 3 maximums. As last week, the final impetus came from Greaves with 29 quick runs until he was caught going for the winning hit. This was left to Jack Caine as Reed romped to 210 for 4 in the 43rd over. Another good win as we go into the 60 over timed matches next week at home to Hemel. Match Report submitted by Peter Wholley.