On this occasion, Rhodri Hughes lost the toss, which was not to prove critical with Reed 3rd XI put into bat on this hot bank holiday Saturday. The Hoddesdon opening bowlers of Savanhu and Osborne (4 maidens in a row) were either notably fast and/or accurate. There was the loss of Peter Baker (4) in the 6th over bowled by Osborne with the score on 10. Fortunately, Savanhu only bowled in 3 over spells as he tired, and his last 2 were bowled off a much shorter run. Paul Garrott (38) and Rob Willoughby (45) went steadily about the run collection so that Reed were 95 at the end of the 24th over having lost Paul in that over but not before we witnessed the rarity of Paul hitting a 6. There followed the loss of Scott Nash (9) to a good catch in the deep. Then Rhodri Hughes increased the scoring rate with a quick 33, which included 6 fours, before dancing down the wicket and being stumped. The total was pushed onto 229 with some fine hitting and running between the wickets by Julien Fynn (59 not out) and Maseeh Naeem (18 not out and breathing heavily at the end). We then had tea supplied by Lloyd Bowman, who didn’t play as he was at "Twickers" but had been ably replaced by Bill Mansfield. Hoddesdon lost 2 early wickets, bowled by Fynn (2 for 18 in 7 overs) in a fine opening spell alongside Joe Graves (0 for 28 in 6 overs). Terry Savanhu then proved that he was not just an opening bowler with a robust 50 before an excellent catch by Baker off the bowling of Steve Hughes (2 for 46 [...]

Reed III’s headed to the idyllic Roydon Cricket club to face Hoddesdon IV. On winning the toss, Reed opted to bowl, hoping to use the good weather to their advantage. Joe Graves (9-3-18-4) opened up down the hill, with Ian Roberts (3-1-11-0) starting off at the other end. The Hoddesdon openers Savanhu (13) and Brooks (17) began aggressively picking up some early runs. Having bowled just 3 overs, Roberts succumbed to a knee industry, with Neil Haslam (9-2-24-0) replacing him from the pavilion end. Graves became the first bowler to strike, cleaning up Savanhu. Graves continued his relentless attack, clean bowling Hunt (8), Brown (0) and Harrison (1). Hoddesdon lost another wicket when Brookes failed to make ground and was run out by Mike Robertson. Despite being 45-5, the home side refused to collapse, with Welsby (25) and Maughan (10) stabilising the innings. The introduction of Mike Juckes to the attack immediately reaped reward when Maughan was caught by Graves. The biggest stand of the innings then proceeded, as Welsby continued stoically, while Draisey (30) looked to further build the total. As the innings drew on Matt Yates (9-2-32-2) and Jukes began to pick up wickets, with Graves catching Welsby off the bowling of Yates, then Juckes picking up his second wicket with Draisey caught behind by Bill Mansfield. Yates snagged Cowner (16) with a caught and bowled, with Jukes taking the final wicket of Osbourne (1). Hoddesdon all out for 161, having made a sterling recovery. Reed began their chase at a pedestrian pace, with the first wicket falling as Peter Baker (0) was bowled by Savanhu (6.3-2-6-3). Richard Johnson (24), looking comfortable, kept the scoreboard ticking over, supported by Gareth Thomas (4), until [...]