Reed Firsts narrowly failed to beat the League leaders, Shenley Village, losing by 1 wicket. Seven Reed batters scored over 19, but none managed to top 30. Sam Osborne (26), Kallum Ward (30), Max Sanderson (19), Jack Caine (21) and Rob Lankester (30) all looked set, but none managed to push on, leaving the innings in the balance at 153-6. Fortunately the recovery was led by Tom Greaves (24), making a welcome return to the side, and Vibes Ghadvhi (27), playing against his former club, who took the score to 197, only for Reed to lose the last 4 wickets for just one run. When Toby Fynn bowled County player, Charlie Thurston in the middle of a fine spell of 4-30, an upset looked on the cards, but Shenley's middle order dug in. However Sean Tidey chipped in with two quick wickets, including that of top scorer Will Thompson to put Reed back in the driving seat. Shenley's lower order have defeated Reed in the past and they took the score to 176-9 as Jack Tidey, Greaves and Lankester claimed a wicket apiece. It was then that the rain proved to be Reed's downfall. Ahead on DLS, an anxious hour ensued for the home team until the umpires deemed there was enough time for four more overs. It only took Aussie, Kris Nissen three to knock off the runs and deny Reed a memorable victory. A sterling performance by the home team with some excellent fielding, catching all the five chances given. It was a shame they fell 20 runs short of a winning total. Match Report submitted by Peter Wholley.

Reed Firsts redeemed themselves after last week's fiasco by putting in a much improved performance against top of the table Shenley Village. Choosing to bat first, Reed set off with their best opening stand of the season, Will Heslam (44) and Sam Osborne (18) compiling 62 before Shenley snapped up 4 quick wickets. However, either side of lunch, Stuart Smith (26) and Kallum Ward (35) put on 68 together until Herts County spinner Ashley Sivrajah ripped through the middle order with figures of 5 for 32. Looking at a total of just 150, Sean Tidey took control of the innings by keeping the strike and finally punishing Sivarajah by taking him for another 37 runs, including 4 maximums. As a result, Reed totalled a respectable 202 for 9 against 3 first class spinners and in the process Sean reached his unbeaten half century. In reply, Charles Thurston set off in spirited fashion, but Jack Tidey gained his prize scalp, caught behind by brother Sean. Jack's 11 overs brought him figures of 2 for 43. Shenley have packed their top order with fine attacking batsmen this season as they look to win promotion without going through another play off, so it wasn't until Matt Giblin bowled Nish Selvakumar for 37 that Reed took another wicket (136 for 3). Despite the valiant efforts of Giblin (2-28) and Heslam (1-16), Shenley cruised home, winning by 5 wickets, thanks largely to a well paced unbeaten knock of 71 by Australia A Captain, Nathan McSweeney, (who incidentally is tipped for an Ashes call-up if England can nobble one of Australia's main batsmen). Altogether a very creditable result against the favourites for promotion this year. Match Report submitted by Peter Wholley.

After last week's euphoria on staying up, the final match of the season was rather anticlimactic. The visitors, Shenley Village, had to win to ensure a place in the play-off for promotion, so they had the motivation to play well. As indeed they did triumphing by 8 wickets. Reed started very well, the partnership of 60 between Will Heslam (23) and Kallum Ward (30) was only bettered twice in the league, but when all ten wickets fell for another 66 runs, it turned out to be the second lowest total this season. The rest of the strong batting side all registered single figures, except for the ever reliable Rob Lankester who batted throughout the carnage for an undefeated 31. This gave him almost 500 runs this year at an average of 41 and it would surely have been many more without the month he missed with a broken thumb. All the Shenley bowlers gave a good account of themselves, although Fakim Akbar (5-29) proved particularly difficult to read. Northants' Charles Thurston set about the reply with gusto, his 54 containing 10 boundaries. Even Reed's two most successful bowlers: Toby Fynn (34 wickets) and Tom Greaves (35) couldn't contain him as Shenley scored 130 for 2 in just 25 overs. Toby would like it reported that his average was marginally below 20, whereas Tom's was marginally above! Overall Reed's supporters can be relieved that the team found some good form in the latter stages of the season, finishing halfway down the league in sixth place. With a fit again Jack Tidey next year, who knows what can be achieved? Match Report submitted by Peter Wholley.

A stunning stand of 70 at more than a run a ball by Shenley Village's ninth wicket pair a la Bairstow/Stokes stole the match from Reed after they looked set for their first win in four. Reed set off well with Sam Osborne moving confidently to 18 until Aussie Nissen made one leap on him and the keeper snaffled the chance. There was a repeat perfomance against Max Sanderson which the umpire adjudged to be out too. After a 57 run partnership between Will Heslam (34) and Zac McGuigan (37) Reed were going well at 90 for 2, but 4 quick wickets left them in trouble. However, Bertie Scott (20), Karl Ward (16) and, chiefly, skipper for the day Sean Tidey, with a sublime 48 steered them to 218 all out. Northants batter, Charlie Thurston, tucked into Reed's pace attack with a string of boundaries, but he carelessly lofted McGuigan to Sam Osborne at cover and when keeper, Kallum Ward, pouched a chance off McGuigan, Shenley were on the back foot. At tea though, they had rebuilt to 100 for 3. On the resumption, Toby Fynn took over, taking 4 for 60 from 19 consecutive overs with more help from Ward and Osborne in the field. 122 for 7 seemed to indicate a Reed victory, but even another Ward/McGuigan wicket couldn't halt the onslaught of Vekaria (29) and Shafiq (42) for the ninth wicket. They smashed 11 boundaries and one maximum offering just two difficult chances with no bowler immune from the barrage. Consequently, Shenley won by 2 wickets. An exciting contest then, which fluctuated abruptly from one side to the other. Unfortunately, Reed were left with just bonus points at the end. Match Report [...]