Fielding a side weakened by absence, injury and isolation, Reed could muster just half a dozen regular first team players. Nevertheless, they battled hard in the heat to earn some bowling points. When skipper Tom Greaves lost the toss for the sixth time in a row, he must have been relieved to hear the home captain decide to bat for a change. This meant his attack could have a sustained period of bowling against a classy set of batsmen. Former Northants batsman, Ben Howgego, (69) and captain Jed Miles (30) established an opening partnership of 80 with some cultured stroke play. Thus it fell to the spin duo of Greaves and Kapil Dave in a 40-over marathon stint to contain the top order to the tune of 134 for 4. However Eoin Morgan's friend, Sean O'Brien (75) and youngster Charles Plummer (47) compiled a century stand, although they survived four sharp chances close to the bat. Dave finished with figures of 3 for 93 and Greaves took 1-74 from their 20 overs apiece. Matt Giblin (1-42) and Toby Fynn (2-25) plus a run-out picked up valuable bowling points at the end to leave Totteridge on 254 for 8. Reed started their reply brightly with Rob Lankester (30) and Will Heslam (19, striking four boundaries), but the introduction of the deadly Iresh Saxena, who took 2 for 4 in his 10 overs earlier in the season spelt the beginning of a slide. His mesmeric spin accounted for three scalps this time and in tandem with Sean O'Brien the innings threatened to subside before reaching three figures once more. Some bold hitting by the tail took the score to 129 however, with Dave 15 not out and [...]

Reed 1st XI made a much better fist of their game against Totteridge Millhillians than they did against Potters Bar. Despite the overcast conditions, Tom Greaves decided to bat and the openers struggled to score as Smith and Wray bowled an accurate line. Nevertheless, most of the top order made a reasonable start with Tom himself top scoring. Once again though, he perished for 34 soon after nailing his first maximum. Mention must be made too for Under 15s Max Sanderson, who looked very much at home batting against a fine attack until he was unluckily run out for 11. However, the star turn was Totteridge’s left arm spinner, Iresh Saxena, who produced a master class of consistency, producing figures of 10-7-4-2. It was left to Sean Tidey (20) to bring up a total of 133 just before the 46 overs, allotted after a rain break, were up. Totteridge looked to be strolling to victory at 70-1 despite another spell of tight bowling from Toby Fynn, but Mitchell Cooper (1-29) broke the partnership of Miles and Keeping and Rob Lankester rocked the visitors with two wickets in an over, finishing with 3-27, after an exciting spell causing the batsmen to play and miss repeatedly. However, even Ed Wharton couldn’t stop Totteridge’s crawl to victory, although he cleverly disposed of gun opener Ben Howgego caught by Greaves at silly mid on and bowled the dangerous Sam Smith just as he was starting to rack up the boundaries. His 9 overs contained 4 maidens and 2 wickets for a miserly 19 runs. In the end, Totteridge won by 3 wickets with a couple of overs to spare, leaving Reed smarting with only 5 points again to show [...]

Reed’s First Eleven played their first game of a shortened season against Totteridge Millhillians First Eleven at The Green on Saturday. Winning the toss on a bright and humid day at The Green, skipper Rob Lankester opted to bat. Ed Wharton cracked three boundaries for Reed in the first over before edging a catch behind. Will Heslam and Rob Lankester took the score beyond fifty before a flurry of wickets left the home side wobbling at 78 for 6. A gusty 38 from Mitchell Cooper (3 fours and two sixes) and 20 from Sean Tidey began a recovery. The lower order added some vital runs, especially Jack Tidey 27 not out as Reed posted 182 off of 44.4 overs. O’Brien and Lederman the pick of the opposition bowlers with three wickets apiece. Totteridge’s reply began quickly with the openers taking the score to 37 inside 4 overs before Jack Tidey (9-0-36-1) bowled the skipper Miles and Ed Wharton (5.5-0-50-2) added Sellwood’s wicket four runs later (41-2). However a 94 partnership between former Northants batsman Ben Howgego and all rounder O’Brien began to take the match away from Reed. Three quick wickets; two from Toby Fynn (5-0-25-2) and one from Mitchell Cooper (5-0-25-1) gave Reed a slight glimmer of hope. Smith and Lederman eventually taking the visitors home by four wickets. RESULT: REED 182 ALL OUT 44.4 OVERS. (6 points) lost to TOTTERIDGE MILLHILLIANS 183 FOR 6 29.5 OVERS. (25 points) by 4 WICKETS. Match Report submitted by Neil Haslam.