Having lost to Aston earlier in the season playing away, it was nice to get some revenge when it came to Reed's turn to host. Asked to bowl first Reed attacked with the pace of Joe Graves coming down the hill and applied the pressure with Neil Haslam coming up. Haslam made the breakthrough whilst Graves was unlucky not to come away with a wicket despite some fine bowling. Rhodri Hughes may have been surprised to be asked to be first change bowler but it proved an inspired move as his three-over spell produced three fantastic wickets. Cormac Hosie and Sam Rice then bowled in tandem during the middle overs. Both got the ball to spin and made trouble for the Aston batsman. Hosie unfortunately went wicketless whilst Rice claimed 2 for 27. Owen and Steve Hughes then finished things off for Reed, Owen claiming 2 for 5 and Steve 1 for 7. With a target of 170 Reed needed a good start. Jack Childs and veteran Peter Baker started well and were beginning to look settled for a long partnership. Unfortunately Howes bowled Childs for 15, followed swiftly by two more cheap wickets. Reed captain Marcus J.E. Baker came to the crease at 33 for 3 but soon lost his father for 21. Needing help in restarting the Reed innings Rhodri Hughes duly provided the support. Both played smart cricket as they put on 61 for fifth wicket. Looking to up the ante R. Hughes (14) tried a slog sweep that brought about his downfall. Replacing him was younger brother Owen. Looking in fine touch he played a patient innings. Playing the drive and cut well in particular he helped Reed get over the [...]

The Sunday XI made their annual trip to Aston with the usual mixture of juniors and "veterans". Aston batted first which suited the Reed fielders. Parker and Cowell got things rolling but had a slice of luck when Jack Childs threw-down the wicket of Cowell from 20 yards only to be judged Not out. Soon after, Childs had revenge by having him caught behind by Bowman. Former Reed Colt, Michael Fox, was number 3 and played well for 27 until driving in the air to be caught and bowled by MJE Baker, the first of 3 wickets for the Reed skipper. Meanwhile, Graham Stuart showed some stamina by bowling 8 straight overs for only 23 runs in his first outing of the season. Thereafter there was a procession of comings and goings as Josh Conley picked-up 3 wickets for 19 and Steve Hughes 2 more whilst Baker made further inroads including another sharp catch from his own bowling. Youngster, Richard Stuart also bowled a good line and length and he was rewarded with a wicket near the end. The Aston innings of 182 had been dominated by Parker who completed a century (108) before Hughes had trapped him LBW. Reed's reply was soon under way as both Peter Baker and Jack Childs (19) found the boundary putting on 60 for the opening stand. Joined by hard-hitting son, Marcus, the score went to 90 for 3 when the elder Baker was caught for 29. MJE Baker hit nine 4s and one 6 then skied one to be caught for 62. At that stage, with 34 required from 7 overs and 5 wickets in-hand, Reed were still in a comfortable position. Strategically placed at number 7, Rhodri [...]