The Firsts won their third match in a row, but only off the last ball of an exciting, high scoring game against high flying Hemel Hempstead Town. Ilangaratne (58) and Penny (39) established a fine base for the host's innings with a century stand, so skipper, Tom Greaves turned to his young leg break bowler, Sam Osborne, who had both caught trying to hit over the field. Osborne (3-40) , the frugal Toby Fynn (2-27) and Bertie Scott (1-37) soon had Hemel floundering at 138-5, but Doodson (26) , Australian Billy Jones (49 not out) and Parkins (35 not out) took control, the latter two scoring 49 from the last four overs to finish on 251-6. Reed were always behind the run rate, although a partnership of 66 for the fourth wicket between Rob Lankester (75) and Matt Sampson (36) gave some hope at 138-4. However when Lankester was brilliantly caught aiming for a maximum on the long straight boundary and Greaves (29) was bowled by opposing captain, Nick Hodgins (3-42), the game seemed to be over. Reed were left needing 49 from 5 overs, but with only 2 wickets remaining. This did not phase the Tidey brothers with Sean attacking the bowling and Jack alternating the strike, they powered their way through to the last over needing fifteen for victory. Two sixes and a wide meant just 2 were required from two balls. A desperate scramble on a misfield saw Jack run out, but they had one of the runs and Sean finished proceedings on the last delivery, easing the ball over the infield to claim an unlikely victory. Once again Sean Tidey was the hero with a fabulous knock of 57 from 32 [...]

Fine individual performances by Tom Greaves and James Heslam were ultimately in vain as Reed fell tantalisingly 18 runs short with 17 minutes of the game left to play. Hemel Hempstead Town chose to bat on an easy-paced wicket, but two quick wickets set them off to a slow start. Opener Ilengeratne gradually built what turned out to be a match winning innings of 67, supported by Dodson (34) and Finch (25). For Reed Toby Fynn bowled tidily unchanged for figures of 14 overs, 5 maidens, 29 runs, 2 wickets, but the star turn was Tom Greaves whose 16 overs yielded 5 wickets for just 30 runs. Zac McGuigan also contributed a wicket, catch and a run out. Hemel were dismissed for 181 with 9 balls remaining. The game seemed over when the top order collapsed to 76 for 6 due to spin wizard Mehta (18-8-27-3), but James Heslam and Bertie Scott (24) added 42 until the latter was caught and bowled by Parkins, who eventually took out the tail, finishing with 4 for 41. Heslam, however, steered the score through to 163, leaving the opposition biting their nails until Aussie, Jones, bowled Fynn with Heslam 50 not out. Ultimately the top order played too many rash strokes to win a timed game. Match Report submitted by Peter Wholley.