Three times National Village Cricket Club Winners Reed CC had the strange experience of being instructed to start their 2026 campaign in the “Herts and Beds Area” section of the NVC competition outside the counties boundaries, and inside the London Borough of Barnet! First time entrants into the competition, “Mill Hill Village Cricket Club”, play their Cricket in London NW7, something of an anomaly for a historically rural Village Cricket Competition?

Reed however overcame this journey into the metropolis, only 12 miles from Trafalgar Square, by winning comfortably by 6 wickets.

Having won the toss on what looked a fairly green surface, Reed Skipper Rob Lankester invited the opposition to bat first, and it soon proved a wise move.
Matt Giblin (8-1-40-3) and Julien Fynn (8-1-28-1) opened the bowling and both bowled with impeccable line and length. Giblin took the first wicket of the day in only the 4th over thanks to Tom Greaves completing a smart catch at 1st slip. 9-1 quickly became 17-3 and runs proved hard to come by. Lankester introduced Greaves to bowl at 55-4 and he was quickly among the wickets on his way to a creditable analysis of 8-1-37-4.
Mill Hill struggled to 60 – 6 after 20 overs and their only real resistance came from apparent debutant Wyatt, who struck 6 sixes on his way to a standout 75. However, only two other home team batsmen reached double figures and after 32 overs the home side were all out for just 134.

Following a magnificent tea, almost a relic of a bygone age in these “post covid” days of predominantly “Tea less” League Cricket, Reed openers Stuart Smith and Kallum Ward got to work on knocking off the required runs, However, with the exception of veteran Smith, Reeds top order batsmen got themselves in, but then got out themselves out, but at 91 for 3 at the 20 over halfway point, and Smith standing firm, Reed were always in command of the run chase.
When Sean Tidey entered the fray at 95 - 4 it was only going to end one way, and after a brisk 3x4’s and 2x6’s in his 28 not out, the Reed victory was completed inside 27 overs with opener Smith carrying his bat for an undefeated 48 not out from 77 balls.

A comprehensive 6 wicket victory for Reed who play St Margretsbury (Herts!) in the next round at Reed on Sunday 10th of May.