Reed nearly pulled off the result of the season as they fell just seven runs short against Welwyn Garden City. Winning the toss, Reed inserted their hosts on a blustery day and were soon rewarded when Jack Tidey trapped former England International Owais Shah for just 4 with the score on 5. However, Tidey limped off injured after bowling just 4.3 overs. Welwyn Garden set about rebuilding with Champion and Nijar, they had completed their 50-run partnership, when Matt Giblin (8-0-38-1) took the edge of Champion’s bat for Sean Tidey to take the catch behind the stumps. Nijar soon followed as Will Heslam pouched a catch off skipper Tom Greaves (8-0-53-2). Welwyn Garden skipper Blacktopp and Rizvi built a solid partnership taking the score over 100, before Toby Fynn picked up two quick wickets (127 for 5). Rizvi shared partnerships with Nolan and Shay Emerton, Fynn picking up his 3rd wicket (9-1-29-3) with Nolan’s dismissal. Rob Lankester was instrumental in bringing Welwyn Garden’s innings to a close taking 3 for 13 in just 3 overs with his medium pace, including the prize wicket of Rizvi for 61. Sean Tidey had a good day returning behind the stumps with two catches and a stumping. Welwyn Garden were all out for 227 off exactly 45 overs. Reed’s opening pair of Ed Wharton and Will Heslam set off at a reasonable pace in reply. They punished any bad bowling and cleared the boundary on several occasions particularly Wharton with 2 fours and 2 sixes in his 29 before he fell with the score on 48. Wickets then began to fall regularly and at 88 for 4 Reed were wobbling. Will Heslam still remained patiently accumulating runs. A solid [...]